CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY _„,^„_ CorneW University Library BX7136 .W81 1860 ^'"llfHiilPwifii'iiiiimfiS'"'®''"'''^"* °* ''^* ^"9 olin 3 1924 029 454 497 Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029454497 VINDICATION OF THE GOVEENMENT NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. €\^t C|niT|fs* (^uarrH (^^omtii; A REPLY TO CERTAIN PROPOSALS. By JOHN '^^SE, A.M., PASTOE OP A CHURCH IN IPSWICH. FOURTH EDITION. BOSTON: CONGREGATIONAL BOARD OF PUBLICATION. 23 CHAUNCY STREET. 1860. CORNELL^ UNIVERSITY! LIBRARY CAMBRIDGE: Allen and Parnham. Printers. LOKh 19 W PREFACE, In issuing a new edition of Rev. John Wise's Vin- dication of the Government of the New England Churches, and The Churches' Quarrel Espoused, or Reply to certain proposals, the Congregational Board of Publication would express their high appre- ciation of the merit of these articles, and of the salu- tary influence they have exerted upon the order and prosperity of the churches for raoreJ±aii_a_century_ past. The views here expressed of the liberty and independence of the churches, their rights and disci- pline (e xcept what he say s of rulin g elders), are the views which have generally been .adootsd.. by the churches from their fi rst org aniz ation . As we said of Bellamy, Hopkins, Robinson, and others, " We do not abridge, or alter the phraseology, but leave the author to express his own views in his own way, that the reader may have the sentiments of the writer, his style, and in some measure a knowledge of the times in which he lived." The late Hon. Zachariah . Eddy, of Middleboro', who was a distinguished lawyer, a sound and able iv PREFACE. theologian as well as devoted Christian, and uncom- monly familiar with the writings of the Pilgrims and New England Fathers, knowing that the Board had proposed to issue a new edition of this work, wrote to the secretary as follows : — MiDDLEBORo', Dec. 15, 1858. Dear Sir, — I have re-read Mr. "Wise's book, and think the repubhcation of it by the Congregational Board of Publication very desirable. There is sharp and strong reasoning in it, and it marks our Congregationalism in Massachusetts for a full century. It has been the means of saving to our churches their true inde- pendency, and our ministers from combining to exercise a joint influence over them. It is also the best exposition of the platform that has ever been given, and has wellnigh brought its " two faces " to look in the same direction. It is the only book of au- thority recognized by our courtgj)£JaH,as,aj_eUablej;ommentary on the platform. These reasons seem conclusive. But the antiquity of the book must be borne in mind. The edition I have was printed inT lT72^ and those in the Antiquarian, Harvard College, and Brown libraries, are of the same date ; and also that in the Athenasum, and Mr. Choate's and Mr. Thornton's, I think are the same. But the first edition of the " Churches' Quarrel," was as early as IjJiS,; and the first edition of the " Vindication of the Government of the Churches " as early as 111.5." It will be necessary, I think, to find copies of these difier- ent editions in order to get the correct reading, as well as to au- thenticate the antiquity of the book, There should be also an introductory article containing some particulars of the life of Mr. Wise. I would add the attestation of the Supreme Court, Baker & Fales, 16 th Massachusetts Reports, which makes his writings PEEFACB. V on ecclesiastical subjects_a_bgok-aLaiitlionty. I would also add ■what Mr. Bancroft says in his volume 2d, page 427, when wi-itino' against the taxes as not voted by the assembly, Mr. Wise ex- claimed, " Democracy is Christ's governmen t in church and in State/l_ln this reprint are contained the names of the original subscribers, which may be regarded as a public recommendation. The list contains many of the most respectable laymen and min- isters then living (in 1772) and should be printed in the new edi- tion. With great respect, Z. Eddy. The above suggestions of the Hon. and lamented Mr. Eddy have been attended to, — the different edi- tions compared, revised, and corrected ; an introduc- tory article by Rev. J. S. Clark, D. D., prefixed ; and the original names of subscribers appended, which give interest to this edition, and make it valuable to the antiquarian, and to all who would know the views of our Fathers of the early New England churches on the subject of church polity. Boston, May, 1860. CONTENTS. Inteoduotobt Notice, Page xiii The Constitution of the New England Churches, as settled by their Plat- form, justified from Antiquitj'; the Light of Nature; the Holy Scrip- tures; the Noble and Excellent Nature of the Constitution itself; and from the Proyidence of God dignifying it, 1 DEMONSTRATION I. CHAPTER I. THE VOICE OF AHTIQniTY DISTRIBUTED INTO THREE PARTS. 1. The first three hundred years of Christianity, the most refined and purest time of the church. — 2. The next twelve hundred years, in- cluding the commencement of a direful apostasy. — 3. The beginning of a glorious Reformation. — The churches in New England and the primitive churches parallel in their government, 1-7 CHAPTER II. OF THE CHURCHES. Definition of a church. — Could not be united but by a covenant. — Constituent parts of a church, 8, 9 CHAPTER HI. The operations and immunities of the churches. — The peculiar acts of the officers and the laity, and the joint acts of both. — Union of distinct churches by acts of fellowship. — Bishops, presbyters, and pastors, the same oflSce. — Bishops had but one congregation each, his diocese but one parish, and he had but one altar. — All the people met together to choose a bishop. — The bishop's duty, 10-li Vlll CONTENTS. CHAPTEE IV. THE PEER0GATIVE3 OR PECULIAR IMMUNITIES OF THE LAITY. Giving their votes for the admission and censure of members. — Electing their own officers. — Ordaining and deposing their own officers, 14-17 CHAPTER V. THE JOINT ACTS OF OFFICERS AND PEOPLE, AS AN ORGANIC BODY. The clergy and laity act conjunctly in matters of discipline. — All things debated in common, and excommunication was by the suffrages of the people, 18-20 CHAPTER VI. THE FELLOWSHIP AND COMMUNION THAT CHURCHES HAD "WITH ONE ANOTHER. The primitive churches for the first three hundred years were distinct Congregational churches, not diocesan, national, nor provincial, but in- dependent. — Had the wisdom and counsel of each other. — Indepen- dency defined. — Synods. — Churches represented by delegates. — Pres. Oakes' encomium of Congregationalism, 20-26 DEMONSTRATION II. FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE. CHAPTER I. \/ The dictates of right reason, the just demands of natural liberty, equity, equality, and principles of self-preservation, originally drew up the scheme of these churches, 27-28 CHAPTER II. Man in a state of natural being, as free born. — No society can exist with- out government. — Human nature in its original capacity. — Man the subject of the law of nature. — Self-love, sooiableness, and benevolence, laws of nature. — Liberty the second great immunity of man's nature. Equahty among men the third immunity belonging to man's nature. — CONTENTS. ix \ \pifference between a natural and a political state. — The original of eivil power is the people. — The reason of Government, and the manner of its organization. — A civil state a compound moral person. — This b^ng anatomized. — The parts of sovereignty considered. — Forms of a government simple or mixed. — Form of a simple or regular are three : Detaocracy, Aristocracy, and Monarchy. — A democracy is when the sovereign power is lodged in a council consisting of all the members, where every member has the privilege of a vote. — The original of our government, says Plato, was taken from the equality of our race. — A democracy, how formed. — An aristocracy, how formed. — A monarchy, how settled. — Mixed governments. — Eebellion against government considered. — Inquiry whether any of the aforesaid governments can be predicable of the church of Christ. — The result of the inquiry. — The primitive constitution of the churches was a democracy. — The light of nature values and directs to a democracy. — Man's original liberty ought to be cherished in all wise governments. — The natural equality of men must be favored. — The end of all good government to cultivate humanity, and the good of every man in all his rights, his life, liberty, estate, honor, etc., without injury to anyone. — The form of government settled by Christ is for the safety of the churches and the benefit of every member.' — No government like a democracy to this end. — Ai"istocracy near to monarchy, and monarchy nearer to tyranny. — A monarchy has been tried in the church with a witness. — Democ- racy is our constitution, and better fitted to the concerns of religion than any other. — An appeal to common reason. — Three particulars securing the honor of Congregational churches. — An objection an- swered. — The law of nature the ground of the New England churches. — The right of convoking councils in the churches. — Councils have only advisory, not juridical power, 27-63 DEMONSTRATION III. FROM THE HOLY SCEIPTUHES. Fundamental principle in Government, that (under God) all power is originally in the people. — No coerciVe power needful in the church. — Power or authority defined. — Distinct powers. — Power to form them- selves into churches. — Power to elect officers. — Power to discipline and exclude members. — Power judicatory. Matt. 18: 15, 20. — The Scriptures the churches' Magna Charta. — The dignity of the churches as free States. — The epistles addqessed to the churches, as bodies with powers for the government of themselves and all their concerns, 64-78 CONTENTS. DEMONSTRATION IV. FEOM THE NATDKE OF THE OONSTITUTION ITSELF. It tends to promote holiness. — It has a balance of power. — Veneration towards those clothed with authority. — The afSnity our polity holds with the civil governments of the most flourishing Commonwealths. — The Venitian. — TheBelgic, etc., f9-88 DEMONSTRATION V. FEOM THE DIGNITY PROVIDENCE HAS PDT UPON OUK CONSTITUTION. In the smiles and frowns of his Providence. — In the great success of the gospel in many conversions. — In the singular purity in the midst of a corrupt world. — la the eminent support given under direful suffer- ings. — The frowns of Providence after the subversion of the primitive constitution. — As in the fatal Arian heresy. — The universal apostasy following the subversion of the primitive constitution. — And the great blessing upon the colonies in North America who returned to the prac- tice of true religion, 89-96 The Testimony of Higginson and Hubbard, 97-103 THE CHURCHES' QUARREL ESPOUSED. -The Question and Proposals, 107-111 The Epistle Dedicatory. To the fraternity of the churches in the New England colonies, 112-134 AN answer to the proposals. The author's apology for writing and for his satire. — His aim is at error. — His charge of mischief against the proposals. — Preliminary queries. — The New England churches in possession of a form of government. — Time has discovered no essential error in their government. — Cotton CONTENTS. XI Mather's advice. — Boldness of invading or altering this government ■without the consent of the churches. — Proposals and platform repugnant and contradictory. — From whence the proposals derive their force ? — Examination of the proposals themselves. — Their origin and nature. — Their composition and properties in general, 135-159 A SUKVEY OF THE PROPOSALS IN THEIR DISTINCT SECTIONS. 1. The formation of associations, answered. — 2. Cases of importance to be presented, answered. — 3. Advice to_ be taken by the associated pastors, answered. — 4. Trial of candidates for the ministry, answered. — 8. Associations to be consulted by the churches, answered. — 6. Councils to be convened for the welfare of the churches, answered. — 7. Correspondence of the several associations^ answered. — 8. Admoni- tion of delinquent ministers, answered, 169-197 PART II. Sect. I. Standing Councils considered, and with keen satire condemned. Sections II.- VIII. Associated pastors with their respective churches shall consociate and combine for the necessities of the churches. Conclusion. The proposals assented to by the delegates at B , Sept. 13, 1705. — To be commended to the ministers to be duly considered. — The last binding vote at an association meeting. — A severe censure upon the 197-235 HISTORICAL INTRODUCTORY NOTICE, BY REV. J. S. CLARK, D. D. Whoever visits the old burying-ground in the town of Essex, formerly a parish of Ipswich known by the Indian name of Che- bacco, will observe, not far fi-om the principal entrance, a massive slab of red sand-stone resting on four granite props, with a tablet of slate, some ten or fifteen inches square, sunk into its surface, bearing the following inscription : — " Undemeatli lies the body of Eev. JOHN WISE, A. M., First Pastor of the 2d Church in Ipswich; Graduated at Harvard College, 1673; Ordained Pastor of said Church, 1683 ; And died April 8, 1725, Aged 73. For Talents, Piety, and Learning, he shone As a star of the first magnitude." It is evidently a transcript of the original writing on the sand- stone slab, now entirely effaced. But the memory of the man whose dust reposes beneath that stone has been more enduring. His deeds still live. They will live forever ; for they were the enactment of everlasting truth. John Wise was born in Koxbury, Mass., the son of Joseph Wise. The exact date of his birth is lost; but his baptism, which, according to the prevailing custom in the Congregational churches of those times, was seldom more than eight days after, is entered "August 15, 1652." He was a graduate of Harvard College in the class of 1673 — not unknown to fame even then, as may be inferred from the fact that he went forth to the work XIV INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. of the ministry " highly recommended by the General Court." Though he commenced his labors at Chebacco in 1680, his ordi- nation -was not effected, nor his church fully constituted, till the 12th of August, 1683,* owing to the vexatious hinderances thrown in the way by the old church and society. Those who are versed in tracing effects to their causes, or in referring traits of character to their formative source, will readily believe that these three years of conflict " for the right," had something to do in nursing that liberty-loving spirit, which the young pastor and new church were destined to show forth in after life. The odious and illegal tax which Sir Edmund Andros, the governor under King James II., was compelling the towns to levy in support of his despotic rule, was too much for the free- born to bear. But what could they do ? The pastor of Chebac- co and a few of his parishioners, with some other citizens of Ips- wich, did this: On the evening of August 22d, 1687, the day before the town-meeting at which an assessor was to~be'ch6sen for carrying that hateful measure into effect, they came together to talk matters over, and agreed to pass by the article in the war- rant requiring the election of such an officer ; which was accord- ingly done, after Mr. Wise had made a speech, and said, among other eloquent words, " We have a good God, and a good k ing, a nd shall do well to stand for our privil eges." No sooner did these things come to the governor's ears than he ordered the ar- rest of Mr. Wise and five others, who, after lying in Boston ja|l twenty-one days, were fined and put under bonds to keep the peace. In the case of Mr. Wise, as the ringleader, he was not only fi ned £5 0, and p ut under bonds of £1,00 0, but suspended also from the ministry. In his narrative of this transaction, after the expulsion of Andros, which happened the year following, Mr. Wise, with characteristic pith, remarks: "The evidence in the case, as to the substance of it, was that we too boldly end eavored to persuade ourselves we were Englishmen , _and under pr ivi- leges." * By a singular mistake, probably in transferring tlae original inscrip- tion to the slate tablet, the year of his settlement is there given as 1681 The evidence is so strong in favor of 1683, that, in copying for these pa^es the other has been made to correspond with it. INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. XV We may be sure that a minister so trained, and imbued with such a spirit, would be among the first to discover any encroach- ment on the rights of the churches, and the last to surrender one iota of their just liberties, either to Pope or Presbytery. It was but following his own instincts, therefore, when, in a day of peril to their ancient polity, he thrust himself between them and harm in that memorable production, " The Choeches' Quarrel Espoused," which is herewith reproduced in a new edition, almost ninety years after the last was issued. Its origin was on this wise. A t a meeting of the Boston Asso - ciat ion of Ministers, held November 5th, 1705, sixteen "Prop o- s als," which had been prev iousl y drawn up by a committee a p- po inted for that purpose, " were read and assented to," and were put forth for the consideration and assent of " the several associ- ated ministers in the several parts of the country." These pro- posals, though couched in plausible terms, and embodying some useful hints, were de nounced by Mr. Wise as revolutionary — subver sive of the Cambridge Platform, the then recogniz ed " C onstitution " of these churches. His treatment of the aforesaid proposals is in the satiri cal form of a trial for treason, wherein they are severally found guilty and condemned to death. Never was a verdict more heartily rendered, nor a sentence more promptly executed. Con gregationalists of our day, grown familiar w ith mod ern innovations, will fail to detect in these proposals all t he urf y features which Mr. Wise saw in them, unless thev follow hi m through his illust rations, and learn to look at things in e mbrio et in rerum natura, to cite one of his many classical allusions. The leading ideas contained in them may be reduced to these three : First, to give the min isterial mee tings, which were then coming into popular favor, an ecclesiastical character, by bringing before them business pertinent only to the chjirches. Second, to run these associations, thus ecclesiasticized and enlarged by a lay dele- gation, into sta nding counc ils, whose decisions in all ordinary cases should be " final and decisive." Third, t o allow " no p ar- ticular pastor or congregation to employ any one in occasio nal preachings who has not been recommended by a testimonial un- der the hands ot^ some association." The first two of these ideas had been offered to the acceptance of the churches forty years before, by the Synod of 166 2, in con- XVI INTRODUCTOEY NOTICE. nection with the Halfway Covenant, but so strongly did they savor of " Prelacy," that not a church was found ready at that time to entertain them ; no pastor was bold enough to urge them. Ecclesiastical councils had thus far been of rare occurrence, ex- cept for the expression of a sisterly fellowship among the church- es, as at the settlement and removal of ministers; and when called for advice on questions of difficulty, merely gave their ad- vice, and left those who asked it of them to follow it or not, just as they deemed there was "force of reason " in it, or not. So adverse were the churches to the least semblance of encroachment on their right of self-control, that the Synod of 1662 found it necessary to insert, in their scheme of Consociation, the nullifying,, acknowledgment that " every church .... hath received from the Lord Jesus full power and authority ecclesiastical within itself, regularly to administer all the ordinances of Christ, and is not under any other ecclesiastical jurisdiction whatsoever," — which was equivalent to knocking their Consociation on the head as soon as born. As to the third point embraced in these proposals, that nobody must preach " who has not been recommended by a testimonial under the hands of some association," it should be stated, for the information of those not familiar with " the old ways," that hither- to a "license" or "approbation" to preach was only "the ex- press or implied authority granted by a church to preach to them." (Congregational Dictionary, p. 214, Art. License.) The Congregational churches had acknowledged no human authority, either ministerial, prelatic, or civil, as a prerequisite to the em- ployment of any one whom they chose to select. They would submit to none ; though they thankfully availed themselves of every help, especially that of settled ministers, in finding suitable candidates. The Cambridge Platform is silent on this subject ; but John Cotton, in his "Way of the Churches" (pp. 39, 40), indirectly tells us how ministers got licensed, by showing " in what manner they were chosen." " When any of the churches are destitute of any of these officers, the brethren of the church (according to the Apostle's advice, in defect of deacons, and so in defect of all other officers), they look oulfrom amongst themselves such persons as are in some measure qualified according to the direction of the INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. xvii woi-d. If the church can find out none such in their own body, they send to any other church for fit supply, and each church looketh at it as their duty to be mutually helpful one to another in yielding what supply they may, without too much prejudice to themselves. Such being recommended to them for such a work, they take some time of trial of them, partly by their own obser- vation and communion with them, partly by consultation with the elders of other churches." In theory, therefore, a Congregational church, destitute of a pastor, looked over their own list of members for a suitable can- didate. If they could find one, of sufficient promise, they " placed him in the pulpit and heard him preach," and applied such other tests as they deemed necessary to a satisfactory judgment of his qualifications. Their own " approbation" was all the testimonial he got, or wanted. If they found no suitable person for that office among themselves, they looked into other churches, con- sulted the ministers, consulted the laymen, conversed with the candidate recommended, took him into the pulpit, took him to their houses, — used all appropriate means, — and then "licensed" him, if he stood the test, and settled him if he and they could agree. The General Court undertook to interfere with this right in 1652, by ordering that a license should be obtained from a coun- cil or county court ; but so determined was the resistance, that the order was revoked the following year. " If a church has lib- erty of election and ordination," said the Woburn church in their petition on the subject, " then it has the power of approbation." (3 Mass. Hist. Coll. vol. 1, 42.) Nearly fifty years later, namely, in 1699, Increase Mather, with nine other ministers, signed and sent forth their " Advice unto the Churches of New England," the drift of which was " to beware of running after new preach- ers, of whose endowments and principles they have not had a reasonable attestation." Expressing also their own intention thenceforth to admit into their pulpits " no stranger, coming as a preacher, without sufficient assurances of his being what he pre- tends to be," except by first passing him through " a solemn ex- amination of his capacity for the tremendous work of preaching the everlasting gospel." But this put no restraints on the ancient liberties, or the existing usages of the churches ; nor did it imply XVlll INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. that their trial and approbation of a candidate Tvould not be regarded by these ministers as a " sufficient assurance " of his "capacity" to preach. It was simple and reasonable advice, having reference particularly to illiterate pretenders coming from abroad. Thus the matter stood when these sixteen proposals came out, and called forth, in reply, this excoriating satire ; which had the effect, not only to explode the whole project, but to recall the churches to their first principles of Congregationalism, and to reseat them on their ancient platform more firmly than ever for the next sixty years.* Even to this day it is common for minis- terial bodies to insert in their constitutions, or rules of business, a disavowal of all " ecclesiastical authority," out of respect to an inwrought jealousy among the churches, which apparently had its origin in this affair. The sudden and complete triumph which this small book achieved is the more remarkable, when it is con- sidered that the proposed innovations were supported by an array of names which were deemed a tower of strength to any cause which had their indorsement. It was printed in 1 710. A second edition was issued in 1715, prefaced with the following letter, which, coming from two of the most popular ministers of the day, may be taken as an exponent of the public sentiment generally. Gloucester, March 20, 1715. "Keveeend Sik, — We have had the favor and satisfaction of reading, and, according to our measure, considering the tran- scendent logic as well as grammar and rhetoric of your Keply to the Proposals ; by which our eyes are opened to see much more *The "dignified silence and pious contempt,"— wsum est non alio remedio quam gmeroso silentio elpio coniemptu utendum nobis esse, — which Cotton Mather, the reputed author of the Proposals, tried to turn upon Mr. Wise (see Ms Ratio Dis. p. 185), probably did not extend beyond his own breast; certainly not beyond the circle of those who subscribed their names with his. And he himself had the candor to own before dismiss- ing.the subject, that "in a deference to (the opposition) of good men, the Proposals were never prosecuted beyond the bounds of mere Proposals " though in Connecticut, after being shorn of their most objectionable feat- ures, they resulted in thd Consociation system, which now prevails over part of the State. INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. xix than ever before we saw, of the value and glory of our invaded privileges ; and are of opinion, that if your consent may be ob- tained to a new edition, it may be of wonderful service to our churches, if God shall please to go forth with it. However, it may be a testimony that all our watchmen were not asleep, nor the camp of Christ surprised and taken before they had warnmg. " We are, Keverend Sir, " Full of dutiful respect and gratitude, " Your sons and servants, " Samuel Moody. " John White." Encouraged by the success of his first blow in defence of in- vaded rights, he repeated the stroke soon after in his " Vindica- tion of the Government of New England Churches," — a produc- tion as remarkable for tough logic as the other is for keen satire. It was first issued in 1 717, and is unquestionably the clearest an d mo st convincing; demonstration of the Congregational po lity ever put forth in the same number of pages. In the Supreme Judi- cial Court, Baker versus Fales, Chief Justice Parker quoted from this treatise in 1820 , as the highest ecclesiastical authority. (Mass. Rep. vol. xvi. p. 499.) It would have left its mark on any age that could produce it. But in that age, and among a people whose susceptibilities of impression werp quickened by late en- croachments on popular freedom in the State, and still later, on the liberties of the churches, it was like setting a seal to melt- ed wax. Especially forcible is his argument '^rawn from the light .of nature." Digging down to the bottom, and layi^Tjare the foundation-stones, he shows that all human government is, and must be, priginal lY_ derived from the peop le. " For as they have a power, every man in a natural state, so, upon a combina- tion, they can and do bequeathe this power unto others, and settle it according as their united discretion shall determme," — which is seen in the obvious tact " that when the subject of sovereign power is quite extinct, that power returns to the people again, as to its natural source." Hanging all governments under three heads — monarchy, oligarchy, democracy — and subjecting them each to a scrutiny in the light of nature, he discovers that the last named is incomparably the best suited to the end for which hu- XX INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. man government is instituted ; and looking at the Prelatic, the Presbyterian, and the Congregational, as the then corresponding forms of ecclesiastical rule, he finds the same grounds of prefer- ence for the latter. " To me," he says, " it seems most apparent that under Christ, the reason of the constitution of these and the primitive churches is really and truly owing to the original state and liberty of mankind, and founded peculiarly in the light of nature," which conclusion being admitted, there is in it, he thinks, the force of a divine sanction. " It seems to me as though wise and provident nature, by the dictates of right reason, excited by the moving suggestions of humanity, and awed by the just de- mands of natural liberty, equality, and the principles of self-pres- ervation, originally drew up the scheme, and then obtained the royal approbation." This argument for the democracy of Congregational churches from the light of nature, which at that time was truly what he calls it, " an unbeaten jath," wa^ quite, as availabl e for a democ- , racy in states, — an inference which could not have escaped the thoughtful reader of that age, nor have failed to give the public mind a bias towards the political independence which was achieved in the age following. If Thomas Jeflferson conf essed himself indebted to the business meetmgs of a church in his neighborho od — substantially Congregational in governme nt — for his best ideas of a de mocracy, much more were John Ad ams and his New England compatriots beholden to their ecclesiastical surroundings for the republican tendencies of their politics.* In- deed, some of the most glittering sentences in the immortal Dec- laration of American Independence are almost literal quotations from this essay of John Wise. And it is a significant fact, that in 1772, only four years be fore that de claration was made, a la rge edition of both those tracts was published by subscription i n one duodecimo volum e. The presumption which this fact alone suggests, that it was used as a pol itical text-boo k in the great struggle for freedom then opening in earnest, is fully con- * In Ban croft's History, Vol. II. p. 427 , after alluding to Mr. Wise's de - ter mined resistance to the tyranny of And ros, as brought to notice in an- other part of this paper, the hi storian quo tes as a saying of his that " De- mocracy IS Cheist's government, in church and state." INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. xxi firmed by the list of subscribers' names printed at the end, with the number of copies annexed. Distinguished laymen in all parts of Efew England, who were soon to be heralded to the world as heroes in that struggle, are on that list for six, twelve, twenty-four, thirty-six, and two of them for a hundred copies each ! As the State itself, in its first organic life on these shores, was born of the church, so our republican form of government is the product of the Congregational church polity ; and of all men whom God has honored with an agency in the production, John Wise ranks among the foremost. YINDICATION OP THE GOVEENMENT ?\TEW ENGLAISTD CHUECHES. DRATVN FROM ANTIQUITY ; THE LIGHT OF NATURE ; THE HOLY SCRIPTURES; ITS NOBLE NATURE; AND FROM THE DIGNITY DIVINE PROVIDENCE HAS PUT UPON IT. By JOHN WISE, A.M., PASTOR OP A CHtmCH IN IPSWICH. There are none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth ; neither is thiere any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons that she hath brought up. — Isaiah 51: 18. Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi, and to your sisters, Ruhamab. — Hobea 2 : 1. VINDICATION OE ftlE GOVEENMENT THE NEW ENGLAND CHIJECHES. The Constitution of New England Ch urches, as settled by their Plat- form, may be fairly ju stified, from Ant iquity ; the Light of Nature ; Holy S criptu re ; and from the Noble and Excellent Nature of the Co nstitution it self. And lastly, from the Providence of God dignify- ing it. DEMONSTRATION I. THE VOICE OF ANTIQUITY. CHAPTER I. To DISTRIBUTE THE WHOLE CHE ISTIAy ERA lyTO THRE E PARTS MAT SERVE TO RAISE A CLEARER LIGHT, AND MAKE A BRIGHTER ASPECT IN THIS ESSAY. 1 . The first division contains the first three h un- dre d years of Christianity, which may be accounte d t he most refined and purest ti me , both as to fa ith a nd man ners, that the Christian church has been honored with ; for that within this space, is contained 2 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT the ministry of the apostles and holy evangelists , and o ther eminent persons authorized by the m ; and su ch oth ers who succeeded in ofHce-trust through th e sev- eral ages, within the space befor e named. Thi s was t he time of an immense effusion of the Spir it of God upon the world, when there was such a flux and in undat ion of the waters from the sanctuary, men- tioned Ezek. xlvii. T his was the age of mirac les; a time of extraordinary gifts, and when grace and t rue pietv was in the greatest elevati on. Christian reli gion was now a dangerous business; everv m an th at took it up, lays down his life, honor , and fortune at stake ; he that owns Christ, mu st bid defiance to a ll the celebrated deities of , the Roman empire ; and thereby run counter to the religion of the imperial court. S o that ra tionally we m ay expect to find the ch urches of Christ in the purest capacity they w ere eyer_2n ; i n all points, both of principles and pra ctice. T hat whatever their government was if they con- tinue the same frnm the Hq ys of the apostles , we may fairly conclude it to be authen tic , and agre eable w ith their grand and orig inal copy. It is most appar- ent, that the churches in those ages were under too good an influence internally, and the eye of too dire- ful a guard, externally to prevaricate with God, in the known principles of their order, any more than Jn their faith, though they were not without errors. T wo or three hundred years is a long time in the w orld to keep up our constant mode and c ustom, either in religious or civil affairs, amongst men, who are so inclined to err, and apt to change their fashions: Mam est natura hmninum novitalis avida. That for the churches through those many ages and & iS^i OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 3 in their several communities to agree in their disci- pline amongst themselves, and not essentially to differ from those churches that were truly apostolical, invincibly infers that their original was divine. But this will appear more plainly when we have made and finished our survey. 2. The secon d grand division of time contains the 3* s pace of the next twelve hundred years downwa rd , more or less; within which circuit is included the CO mmencement and progress of a direful apostas Yi both as to worship and gover nment in the churches. Some s ympto ms of these things were rising within the fo rmer divis ion of time ; but in this they grew a great pace, and to that degree, that the Christian wo rld became a notorious apos tate. For as we have it in the idea of the reformation, the great Lord of time allowed a space, wearing the denomination of time, times, and half a time : or, in plainer expres- sions, tw elve hundr ed and sixty years, in which space all t he effects of a horrible aposta sy made a ve ry Gehennon of that which was called Christend om. And says Dr. Ow en (in his preface to the inquiry into the original of the churches), Ambrose judged j that it was the pride or ambition of the doctors o ij' fi the church which introduce d the alteration in its \e{ai ovSeT. And, moreover, says the Dr. somewhat after this manner, namely: " The ambition of church rulers in the fourth and fifth centuries openly proclaimed itself, to the scandal of the Christian religion ; for that their interest led them to a deviation from the order and discipline of the church according to its first institution." For that t he directions given abou t it in Scripture make it a matter so weighty in itself. (»' 4 VINDICATION OF THE GOVEKNMENT and attended with so many difficulties, it being laid under such severe interdictions of lordly power, or seeking either of wealth or dignity, that it is no pleasant thing to flesh and blood, to engage in the conduct and oversight of Christ's volunteers ; to bear with their manners ; to exercise patience towards them in all their infirmities ; and in all their weak- nesses to continue a high valuation for them as the flock of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. All this requires abundance of self-d enial; and if so, t.hejl it is no won der thnt many of their prelates wer e willing gradually to extricate th em- selves out of this uneasy conditioP i and embrac e all opportunities of introducing another order into the churches, th at might tend more to the exaltatio n of th eir own power and dig nity. And this was done accordingly ; for the bisho ps, by their ar bitrary rules, share d the flock of Christ amongst thern selves, and that without the consent of the people, as though they had conquered them by the sword. For thus they divide the spoil. This b ishop, say they, shall have s uch a share and num ber of them under his power ; and that other bish op shall have so man y ; and so far shall the jurisdiction of one extend, and so far another, that they soon canton out the whole Roman empire under a few patriarchs and head men. These things were the subject of their decrees and laws, which (those of Christ's being thrown by) were now become a rule for the churches. B ut yet nei ther did the bishops long keep within those boun ds and li mits which their more modest ambition had'at fi rst prescribed unto them , but went on, and took occasion from these beginnings to contend amongst them- OF THE NEW ENOLAND CHURCHES. selves a bout preeminency, dignity, and power — in wh ich contest the bishop of Rome at len f ^th rpmn inpd master of the fi eld , and so Rome obtained the sec ond conquest o f the wo rld. And then his holiness, the head of it, came to ride admiral of all the Sees, and then soon became lord of heaven and earth by the same rule of process which brought him to his high trust. Hence Query. What cannot wakeful ambition, learnin g.^ a nd fraud do, if jointly agreed , at rifling the greate st I t reasur es bequeathed to mankind, especially when I __ the world is generally gotten into a sleepy fit ? — 3 3. Towards the latter end of this space of time began a glorious refo rmation . Many famous perso ns, m emorable in ecclesiastical history, being moved by th e Spirit of God, and according to Holy Writ, led the way in the fa ce of all danger ; such l/as Wickl iff, who openly decried the pope as the very anti-Chri st in the fourteenth century, and others in that age. And in the next century Martin Luther pursued the reformation with great boldness, resolution, and con- stancy. This is that famous Luther, says my author, of whom they who acknowledge the least must yet make as much as Dr. More makes of him ; for, saith the Dr., " I cannot think so very highly of Luther as some do ; and yet I think him to have been a very happy instrument in the hand of God, for the good of Christendom against the horrid enormities of the papal hierarchy. And though he might not be allowed to be the Ellas, the conductor and chariot of Israel, as some have styled him ; yet I think at least he might be accounted a faithful postilion in that chariot, who was well accoutred with his wax boots, H 6 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT oiled coat, and hood; and who turned the horses' noses into a direct way from Babylon toward the city of God, and held on in a good round trot, through thick and thin, not caring to bespatter others in this high fog, as he himself was finely bespattered by others." About which time Zuingl ius, Oecolam - padius, Melanchthon, and other Christian heroes also listed into the same quarrel, and with great bravery and self-denial went forward with the reformation. \ Yet after the endeavors of such men, and others without number, through several ages downward, jh / _churchesjwhJ£h arecalledjefor imperfect r efonnatjon^^as^ Dr. Increase Math er says. And the defect has not been so much in doctrine, as in worship and discipline. And notwithstanding, s ays the Dr. , i n this respect also some churches ha ve go ne beyond others. NoaL_tQ__com e to w hat I aim .ai^Jhesej3hvixches in Ne w Englan dr-asJojthejr order and discipLiae^Uiavg- surpassed all churches o f the ^ reforinatiofl,. And under the head of discipline, it seems to me that C hrist, the captain of sa lvation, has given out his word to these churches as to his ^troops co ming up in the rear of ti me ; and his word of command is — as you were; make good the old fr ont, or place youfseTves in that re|0-i mental pr dpi-^ which the primitive churches were in whilst th ey marched under my bann ers, and encountered the devil in their heathen persecutors for the .first three- / hundred years — for that t he churches in New E ng- lan d and the primitive churches are eminently paral- le £ in their governm ent. Those first ages of the church, it is certain, were many times much annoyed with many pestilent and damnable heresies, and OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 7 many usages in worship, too superstitious, crept in . amongst them; yet they continued jii_±he—CQastitur ±ion of their church_order very uniform and apostoli- cal ; and it is v ery obvious that these churches in this wilderness, i n the essentials of government^ a re e very way parallel to th em. I shall represent this business by a collection of parallel notes o ut of several authors of unq ues- tionable veracity ; and shall principally follow the guidance of one who has concealed his name, and styles his treatise " An inquiry into the constitu- tion, discipline, unity, and worship of the primitive churches." This author, in his preface, gives this fair account of his doings. Says he, " What I have written I have wholly collected out of the genuine and unquestionably authentic writings of those ages," meaning such as wrote in or of the three first centuries of Christianity. And says he, " I have been every way honest and unbiassed;" and being well assured of his fidelity, I shall endeavor to imi- tate his faithfulness in transcribing what I find in him suiting my present purpose. And I shall be well and sufficiently furnished when I have laid before the reader the notion which the ancients had of the church in its constituent parts, both of officers and people, with the several authorities, powers, rights, immunities, and prerogatives belonging unto .£ach. And if we fiad tha t the primitive churches, in their ord er and di scipli ne, did exactly agree m th e essentials of government with the churches in New England, we may rationally then conclude that i f they were apostolical, so are we. 8 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT CHAPTER II. Of the chukch. To pass over all other observations, the most usual and common acceptation of the word " churc h," of which we must chiefly treat, is that of a particu lar church, which consists of a society of Christians mee ting Together in one place, under their prop er pastors, for the performance of religious worship an d t he exercis ing of Christian discipline. This descrip- tion of a church is agreeable with the idiom both of Sc ripture and antiqu ity. T hus Tertu Uian, who lived about the end of the s econd cen tury, gives us an account of the state, order, and worship of the churches. (Apol. ad Gen. cap. 39.) The description of a church he first lays down in these words, namely: Corpus sumus de conscientia religionis, et discipUnm unitate, et spei fcedere. We are a body united in the conscience of religion, or for the con- scientious observation of the duties of religion, by an agreement in discipline, and in a covenant of hope. For whereas such a body or religious society co uld not be united but by a covena nt, he calls it a c ovenant of h ope, because the principal respect therein was had unto the things hoped for. This r eligious body or society, thus united by covenan t, dlomeet together in the same assembly or congrega- tioir; ^or7 says he, Corpus sumus, coimus in ccetum, et congregalionem ut ad deum, etc. We are a body, and meet in an a ssembly and congre gation, to offer up our prayers unto God and attend the duties of OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHXJECIIES. 9 the Christian religion. So Irenseu s also, in the second century, tells us " that some of the brethren, and sometimes the whole church of some certain place, by fasting and prayer have raised the dead." Thus our own platform agrees in sense with the opinion of the ancients. (Plut. ch. 2, sect. 6.) " A congregational church is, by the institution of Christ, a part of the militant church, consisting of a com- pany of saints by calling, united into one body by an holy covenant," etc. But as to the independency, or real distinction between church and church, this will more clearly appear in what follows. Therefore I shall proceedjtg cons ider the constituent parts of a church, as divided, 1. Into the people who composed the body of the c hurch, called the elect, or the called and sanctified by" t he will of G od ; and sometimes they are called the brethr en, because of their brotherly love, etc. 2. Into those persons who were set apart for office, or for a peculiar and eecleaia&tlcal .irpprovement . And each party under this distribution, had their par- ticular immunities and employments. And under these heads, I shall confin e the discourse to a paralle l in the essentials in govern ment or church order, be - twe en the chur ches of Christ in the first ages of Chris tianity, and the c hurches of New England, as settled by their platform. 10 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT CHAPTER III. I shall proceed to distribute and enumerate the operations and immunities of the churche s. I. With relation to the peculiar acts of the officer s. II. The peculiar acts of the laity or fratern ity. III. The jo int a cts of them both; as performing the work and^ business of an organic church, or com- plete corporation. And, IV. I shall la stly ma ke some observations upo n t he union of distinct churche s, by acts of sisterly fel - l owship or communio n. And hereby I shall com- plete the parallel, in the essentials of order, between the primitive churches and those of this country. I. The peculiar act s of the officers or cler gy. Un- der this head might be considered the functions of eve ry particular order and degree of the cl ergy ; which we may say were, according to the purest an- tiquity, but three, namely, bishops, priests or pr es- b yters, and deacons . I shall principally consider the bishop as the chief officer in trust and dignity, in the primitive church. And in order to it, 1 . In general observe, that though there were som e d istinctions in point of a titular dignity and degr ee between a bishop and presbyt er ; yet they were really equal in order, and in the nature of their tm st. _Fnr th at in an ecclesiastical sense, bishop and presbyt ers are synonymous terms, setting forth the same offi ce ; a nd signify no more but an elder, a pastor, ruler, o r overseer of a church . I gnatius calls the apo stles themselves the presbyters nf the rhnroh • and Theo- doret renders the reason of the appellation, for, saith OE THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 11 he, " The Holy Scriptures called the chief men of Is- rael, the senate, or eldership." (Wils. Diet.) And, indeed, according to the apostle himself, presbyters, or elders, and bishops, are plainly terms of office, and of equal signification. As in Tit. 1 : 5, 7 : " For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldst . . . ordain elders. . . . For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God," etc. I n this discourse I shall represent the bishop in th e se nse of the primitive churches, as head and chief of- ficer of the church ; for, according to Cypr i an, there w as but one bishop, strictly so called, in a church at a time, though at the same time there were many elders or presbyters in the same church ; and the bishop, in a peculiar manner, was related to his flock, as a pastor to his sheep and a parent to his children. (Cyp. Epist. 38, § 1, p. 90.) And the titles of this supreme church officer, are most of them reckoned up in one place, in Cyp. Epist. 96, namely, bishop, past oi') president, governor, superintendent, or priest. A nd this officer is he, which in the Revelation, is c alled, The angel of the church, as Origen think s. 2. We may consider more distinctly the ob ject of his care, or the dimensions of the bishop's diocess. It is very obvious, that this great and superior oliicer, as has been said, had b ut one ch urch under his pas- toral care. The diocesses, government or dominion of these reverend prelates, are never (according to an- tiquity) s aid to contain churches in the plu ral, but onl y a church in the singular nu mber. And the bis hop was usually called the bishop of this or th at ch urch. As Tertullian saith, Polycar p was ordained bishop of the church of Smyrna, etc. And, more- 12 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT over, it is accurately to be observed that the most frequent word used to denominate the extent of the b fshop's c are, or to set out the limits of his diocess, was that of a p arish. So in the p ynnrlical epistle of I renseus to Victor. The bishoprics of Asia a re call ed par ishes ; and in the history of Eusebius, the word is so applied in several hundred places. It is very useful there to read of bishops of this and that parish : as the bishop of the parish in Alexandria, the bishop of the parish in Ephesus, and in Corinth, etc. For that the word Paroikia, which we render parish, signifies housing, or living together. And in ordinary and civil use, it notes a village, small town, or part of a town, of people or persons dwelling to- gether. And in a church sense it signifies a compe- tent number of Christians dwelling near together, and having one bishop, pastor or minister, or more, set over them ; with whom they meet at one time or place, to worship and serve God. Sxt that parish in thi s sense, is the same with a, particular church:^o r congrega tion. And this is plainly agreeable^ wi th the sense, custOrii, and platform of New Englan d churches. 3. That the bishop's diocess exceeded not the bounds of a parish, or a small town, or part of a town, is very evident from the following demonstra- tions, according to antiquity. De monstration 1. For that a ll the people of a dio- ce ss did every Sunday meet together in one place" " to c elebrate divine serv ice. Thus saith Justin Martyr (Apol. 2, p. 98), all assemble together in one place, where the bishop preaches and prays. Demonst. 2. The bishop had hnt one altm- or com- OP THE NEW ENGLAND CHtlKCHES. 13 munion-table in his diocess, at which his whole flock received the sacrament from him. There is but one altar says Ignatius (Epist. ad Phila. p. 41), as there is but one bishop. !So says Cyprian, we celebrate the sacrament ; the whole brotherhood being present. And thus it was in Justin Martyr's day. The bishop's whole diocess met together on Sunday, when the bishop gave them the eucharist. Demonst. 3. Al l the people of a diocess were p res- e nt at church censures ; as Origen descri bes an of- fender, as appearing before the whole church, in Mat. torn. 13, p. 133, vol. 1. So Clemens Romanus calls the censures of the church the things com- manded by the multitude. Demonst. 4. No offender s were restored again to the churches' peace, without the knowledge and con- sent of the whole diocess ; they were to plead their cause before the whole people, etc. D emonst. 5. When the bishop of a church w as d ead, all the people of that church met together in one place to choose a new bish op. So Sabinus was chosen bishop of Emetria, by the suffrage of all the brotherhood. The whole diocess of the bishops did meet together to manage church affairs. Thus when the schism of Felicissimus, in the bishopric of Car- thage was to be debated, it was to be done according to the will of the people, and by the consent of the laity. And when there was some hot disputes about the restitution of the lapsed, Cyprian promised his whole diocess, that all those things should be exam- ined before them, and judged by them. So that from the premises, it is very evident that that diocess cannot possibly be more than one single congrega- 14 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT tion ; nor that church more than a congregational church, where all the people and mennbers of that church meet together at one time, and in one place, to pray together, to receive the sacrament together, assist at church censures together, and despatch church affairs together. And it is very apparent, that this was the method and way of the primitive churches, according to the preceding observations. And New England churches harmonize exactly in their common practice, as though they had taken their directions from them. 4. The bishop's dutv, or the several partic ular o perations of his honorable office, were such as t hese, namely, preaching of the word, praying with his people, administering the sacraments, taking ca re of t he poor, ordaining of ministers, governing his flo ck, e xcommunicating of offenders, and absolving o f pen- itents. In a word, whatever can be comprised un- der those three general heads of preaching, worship, and government, were parts of the bishop's function and office. And this also is very agreeable with our platform (chap. 10, sect. 8). The power which Christ hath committed to the elders, is to feed and rule the church of God, etc. CHAPTER IV. II. The prerogatives, or peculiar immunities op the LAITY. The fraternity or body, of the people, had se veral hi gh immunities inherent in them, and exercised by t hem as a chur ch. As, OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 15 1. Yotjng and fflving their sjiffi'age, for the adm is- si on and censure of mem bers. To this purpose before. 2. To the electing their own officers. For when a par ishTor bishopric, was vacant through the death of the incumbent, the members of that parish met in church to choose a tit person for his successor, to wh om they might commit the care and governme nt nf the chnv rh. When Alexander was chosen bishop of Jerusalem, it was by compulsion or choice of the members of that church. And so in the church of Rome when their bishop w^as deceased, all the people met in the church to choose a successor. (Euseb. lib. 6, cap. 28.) Though it is certain that after some time, the aspiring clergy robbed the people of this as well as of other of their rights. As it is well repre- sented by a late worthy anomalous author, writing de Ordinatione, p. 30, Crescente Paulatim cleri po- le state ad se magis indies, etc. The power of the clergy gradually increasing, they daily drew more new rights to themselves, which they took from the people ; thinking that the dignity which they had ob- tained was not ample enough, if the people had any share with them in elections. Therefore at length snatch or take the whole business into their own hands ; the people, through their supine negligence, not much opposing of them. Yet that the people might be hushed into quiet (with much grace) they grant them the favor of beggars, namely, postulare, to ask for an ofHcer. But this plundering of the churches falls within the second grand division of time, not within the first three hundred years. 3. O f approbating of ordinatio n. All the peop le 16 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT we re consulted, and none were admitted into holy orde rs without their approbatio n. As we are assured by Cyprian (Epict. 33), who tells us it was his con- stant custom, in all ordinations to consult his people, and with their common counsel to weigh the merit of every candidate of the sacred orders. 4. Of dep osing. oL their own jjfHcerg the wa y, (p. 96, sect. 2.) For if their bishops proved scanda- lous and wicked in life, heretical and apostates from the faith, the churches had power to degrade and depose them, and choose others in their room. There is a peculiar example of this kind in a letter from the church of Rome to the church of Corinth, written by Clemens Romanus (Euseb. lib. 3, chap. 14), upon which Dr. Owen makes this observa- tion, namely, that the church of Corinth was fallen into a sinful excess in the deposition of their elders, whom the church of Rome judge to have presided amongst them laudably. But yet in the whole epistle the church of Corinth is nowhere reproved, for assuming an authority to themselves which did not belong to them. It seems what Cyprian afterwards affirmed was then acknowledged, namely, that the right of choosing the worthy, and rejecting the unworthy was in the body of the people. But the Corinthian church is severely reproved for the abuse of their liberty and power (State of Churches, p. 94). Also when two Spanish bishops were deposed by their churches, that the said churches might not seem to act by a power which belonged not to them, they sent into Africa to sev- eral bishops to know their judgment thereupon, who being convened in a synod (Ann. Dom. 258), whereof OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 17 Cyprian was president, they commended and ap- proved their proceedings ; assuring them it was according to the divine law, which was express, that none but those that were holy and blameless, should approach God's altar ; that if they had continued to have communicated with their profane bishops, they would have been accessory to their guilt and villany, and would have contradicted those examples and commands in Scripture, which obliged a people to separate from wicked and ungodly ministers, that they had not acted in-egularly in what they had done; since the people had the chief power in choos- ing worthy bishops, so also of refusing those who were unworthy. And many other passages there are in that epistle which flatly assert the people's power of deposing scandalous bishops. Yet where the churches were associated to render their action more unquestionable, they had assistance from others ; but yet the power is plainly acknowledged to be inherent in the church. (Epist. 68 ; Apud. Cyp. sect. 1, 2, 3, p. 200.) These premises are very harmonious with the constitution of these churches. (Plat. ch. 10, sect. 5, 6.) Th e power which is granted by Christ to t he body of tfTe churc h and brotherhood, is a preroga tive. (1) In choosing their own officers. (2) In the admission and censures of their own members ; and, " (3) In case an elder offend incorrigibly, etc., as th ey had power to call him to offi ce, so they have power according to order to remove h im from his { office, etc^ *— 2 18 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT CHAPTER V. III. The joint acts of officers and people, caukying " ON, AS AN ORGANIC BODT. And these peculiarly refer to the discipline an d good governme nt of the ch urch. A nd though m in- ister ial trust (precisely considered) was s oleb^ de- voT ved on the officers, yet still the fraternity sto od i nterested in, and possessed of a share in the judicial part of the gove rnment, the whole church in ordin ary cases were the judge s which composed the eccl esias- fTcal consistory. So that the power of the keys w as so lodged both in the bishops and pe ople, as that each had a share to exercise and improve in joint acts of judicature, and thus the clergy and laity con- junctly made up that supreme co urt which was in every parish, where all church offenders were tried, and when found guilty were sentenced and con- demned. That the laity did exercise judicial po wer in t he church, is further evident from several testimo- nies^ As in that of Ql emens R omanus (Epist. 1, ad Corinth, p. 69), where he writes, who will say ac- cording to the example of Moses. If seditions, con- tentions, and schisms are happened because of me, I will depart, I will go whithersoever you please, and I will do what shall be enjoined me by the people, so the church of Christ be in peace. So Origen de- scribes a criminal appearing before the whole~church. In Mat. tom. 13, Cyprian, when some had commit- ted some great misdemeanors, professes himself not a sufficient judge, but they ought to be tried by all the people. (Epist. 28, p. 64.) And to the same pur- OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHDRCUES. 19 pose he writes of other delinquents, namely : That such matters should be adjusted according to the arbitrament, and common council of the people. And that the lapsed in admitting them to commun- ion, should plead their cause before the clergy, and before all the people. And concerning such matters he writes to the people, that when it should please God to restore peace to the church, and reduce him from exile, then the case of the delinquents should be examined in their presence, and according to their judgment. And Cyprian writes in another place, that all things were debated in common amongst them. And that whoever was excommunicated, it was by the suffrages of the people. And though the elders were principally concerned, in preparing cases for the churches' cognizance, yet it is plain that the decisive suffrage was (in part) the prerogative of the people. To this purpose we have an instance in some that joined in the schism of Novatus, who be- ing sensible of their fault, came into the presbytery and desired the churches' peace ; the presbytery ac- cepted their submission, and proposed it to the whole church, who readily embraced it. Now it is to be observed, that agreeably with the fore-cited practice of the primitive churches, our own platform has de- cided the question concerning the subject and exer- cise of government. (Piatf. ch. 10, sect. 11.) J'lip ordinary power of government belongs only to th e elders ; and power of privilege remaineth with -th e brotherhood (as The power of judgment in maU ers of censure, a nd" power of liberty in matters of liberty ), thence it follows, that in 'an organic churcTji and rig ht ad ministration, all nhnrch acts proceed after the man- 20 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT n er of a mixed administra tion, so that no church act can be consummated or perfected without the consent of both. CHAPTER VI. IV. The fellowship and communion that distinct. CHURCHES HAD AND HELD ONE WITH ANOTHEK. ^ It is is very obvious by this time (and he must bl ind hi s own eyes that won't see it), that the primi tive ch urches (according to the account we ha ve of their re gimen for the first three hundred years fro m Christ), were distinct, political bod ies ; and neith er di ocesan, nation al, provincial, nor classical, but prop- erl y congregational church es. And as such, we re p erfect atid-cem-ptoe soci etipR inpn]-poTntp ; so that th ey had a power and capacity of carrying on all churc h-work within themselve s, and wanted not to bor row, or receive from others, for the support o f th eir being, and so were independen t. Yet consider- i n g they were imperfect in their matter, and the refore t o help forward their well-being, wanted the ad van- tage of all good means ; with the influence of the grace, love, knowledge, experience, wisdom, and co unsel of each other ; s o they were d ependent, and b ecame mutually officious, and account able to each ot her: somewhat after the manner, as Mr. Hooke r di stinguishes on the independency and dep endency of gospel chu rches. (Pol. lib. 2, ch. 3.) Says he, " I ndependency implies two things. Either, " 1. An absolute supremacy, opposed to subo rdina- tion ; and so a particular church is not indepe ndent OP THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 21 it being accountable to civil government, etc. A nd al so to the consociation of churches T^ Or, " 2. Independency signifies a sufficiency in it s k ind, for the attainment of its en d. And i n this se nse, independency is opposed to imperfectio n : and if we take it thus, then a particulaFchurch may be said to be independent, it being sufficient to attain the end it was instituted for ; it having complete power, when rightly constituted, to exercise all the the ordinances of God. And thus we find, that the pr imitive churches in this sense were independe nt churche s ; that is, every particular church had a s uf- fi cient right and power, wi thout the co ncurrence and au thority of any other church, to carry on the w or- ship of God, and exercise of discipline in their d is- ti nct soc iety. And yet as they were parts of the u niversal church, held themselves obliged to suita ble communion. And for the support of unity, love, and concord amongst them, and to advise about their common circumstances and condition ; and also to regulate their ecclesiastical affairs within their general limits, for their mutual advantage ; did ther efore form themselves into synodical assemb lies, an d were governed in common by them ; for that th e i r synodical decrees, canons, or institutions, we re accoun ted obligatory to all the chu rches, who h ad their repres entatives in the syn ods. For, indeed, to what purpose else did th^y draw up their resolves, but for the good and benefit of the whole community. And it would have been very fruitless to have ma de wearisome iour neys. with great cost and pains t o determin e such things, as they judged expedient fo r th e churches' well-being, if, after all, it were indiff er- / 22 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT ent whethe r they were obeyed or n o : o r that whe n the whole was agreed, some should reluct and remo n- s trate; and especially when things were fairly sett led by a joint suffrage in syn ods, s ome small set of wis e men s hould hold themseTves wiser than whole s yn- ods, and afterwards should of their own heads, in their more private apartrnentg, set forward new schemes, which in itself is disorderly, and a way to keep the churches constantly'feetaati«'g, and restless like the unstable ocean. And, indeed, considering the regularity, wisdom, and union in synodical settle- ments, whilst that all sorts of persons interested, both officers and people having had their full liberty in debates, and their free votes and suffrages, in drawing up the decrees and settlements, it i s a bo ld intr usion, and little better t han defying and trampling u nderfoot the unity, love, honor, and authority of the chu rches, to run counter wit h synodical settlemen ts, ti lTtheY are fairly repea l ed by the like power w hich made the settle ments." And thus we come to con- sider the members of the synods of the pri mitive churches. "" And these were b ishop s, pr esbyters , deacons, and dep uted laym en, in behalf of the people of their re- sp ective chu rches. At a great synod at An tioch, which condemned Paulus Samosatenus, there were present bishops, presbyters, deacons, and the church of God ; that is laymen, who represented the people of their several churches. (Euseb. 1. 7, cap. 30.) Also wh en the here3Y _o f the Montani sts was fixed and preached, the faithful in Asia met together several I times to examine it, and upon examination con- demned it. (Euseb. lib. 5, cap. 16.) Also there being OF THE NKW ENGLAND CHURCHES. some heats in the church of Carthage, about the restitution of the lapsed, Cyprian, bishop of that church, writes from exile, — That there should be convened a synod of bishops, and of the laity, who had stood firm through the persecution, to consult about, and to determine their affairs. (Epist. 14.) And moreover at a great synod held at Carthage, Anno. 258, there were present eighty-seven bishops, together with presbyters and deacons, and a great part of the laity. (A pud Cypri. p. 443.) The principles of the churches in New Engl and, as serting the riglit o f the people in synodical meet- in g, are fully set down in the chapter concern ing s ynods. (Pl atf.) And the practice of these in har- mony with, the primitive churches has been all along agreeable to it. In the last syno d which was in New England, in the year 1679, some churches sent only their elders without thei r brethren, with wmcti~th e 'U^ synod was so far unsatisfie dj as that they would not A^ all ow those pastors to sit with them until they h ad pr evailed with their churches to send brethren al so ; being very tender of admitting anything, that should look like the infringem ent of that liberty and privi- lege, which does by the institution of Christ belong to the b rotherhood in particular churches. (Dr. M ath- ■^ e r's Order, Q. 11 .) I shall conclude this head or de- monstration with these weighty and solemn words of the learned and famous Mr. Oakes, president of the college, in his election sermon : " C onsider." says h e. "what will be the end of receding, or making of a defection from the way of church government estab- lished amongst us. I profess that I look upon the discovery and settlement of the congregational way, 24 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT as the boon, the gratuity, the largeness of divine bounty, which the Lord graciously bestowed on this people, that followed him into this wilderness, and who were separated from their brethren. Those good people who came over had more love, zeal, and . affectionate desire of communion with God, in pure worship and ordinances, and did more in order to it, than others ; and/th e Lord did more for them th an for any people in the wor ld,jn showing them the pattern of his house, and the truer scriptural way of ch urch government and administrations. God w as certainly in a more than ordinary way present with his^ servants in laying our foundations, and in settling-* church-order, according to the will and appointment of Christ. (_ ^nsider what will be the sad issue of ^r evolting from the way fixed on/to one extreme or t o another, whether it be to Fresbyterianism or Brown- ism. As for the Presbyterians, it must be acknowl- edged that there are amongst them as pious, learned, sober, orthodox men as the world affords ; and that there is as much of the power of godliness among that party, and of the spirit of the good old puritans, as among any people in the world. And as for the ways of their church government, it must be con- fessed, that in the day of it, it was a great step to reformation. The reformation in King Edward's day, was a blessed work ; and the reformation of Geneva and Scotland was then a larger step, and in many respects purer than the other. And for my part, I fully believe that the^congregatiqnal w^y: farjixceeds both, and is the highesi, step that has ITeeyn taken towards reformation ; and for the sub- stance of it, it is the very same way that was estab- OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHUKCHES. 25 lished and practised in the primitive times, according to the institution of Jesus Christy Thus ends m y first demonstration in a fair paral lel drawn up b e- tw een the holiest churches that ever were in th e w orld, and the churches of New En gland ; and how- e ver they may differ in their morals, they are ve ry h armonious in their or der. And considering that the former cannot rationally be thought but they de- rived their constitution from the apostles, and so it must, needs be of a divine original : and if so, then these in New England who are fashioned so exactly like them, must needs be of the same pedigree, etc. But I shall waive all improvement of the premises, and leave the whole to the serious and judicious thoughts of every impartial reader, not doubting but h e will find sufficient evidence of the divine orig i n al of these charches in what has been s aid. And that I might now obtain a supersedeas, and forbear add- ing any further plea in their defence. } But yet to gr atify my own curiosity, and diverfe-the re ader, I sh all proceed to inquire into the natural reason of the con stitution of those churches we have been com-, p aring. In this question J shall go out of the c om- mon road, and take into an unusual and unbea ten pa th, wherein possibly I may fall into some thicke ts n ow and then, and be somewhat entan gled ; yet I ho pe the candid reader will afford some succor by his ten- der clemency, and his friendly interpretation of my good intentions. For though I may in so devious a way, miss of some part of the truth, yet I have a gre at presumption that I may open a road to m en of greater lear ning , and a deeper sear ch, that will lead to a rich treasure of knowledge and wisdom, for 26 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT ease and relief under those many questions and /Crabbed debates concerning church government in ' the Christian world ; for to me it seems apparentj~ that, under Christ, t he re ason of the constitution of these and the primitive churches, is really and truly o wTng"! oTtTe' p r i gj.a^.L'^tate andJiber tv .af-maH-k i n d , and founded peculiarly in_t.he light of H.aim^e. . ^ OF THE NEW ENGLAND CnURCHES. 27 DEMONSTRATION II. FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE. _ CHAPTER I. [ Th e divine establishment in providence of the fore- named churches, in their order, is apparently the royal assent of the supi's me monarch of the churc hes, to the grav e decisions of reason in favor of man's nat- ural stat e of being and original freed om. For if we should make a new survey of the constitution before named under the brightest light of nature, there is no greater example of natural wisdom in any settle- ment on eartn lor the preseni; aTTd future security of h uman beings in all that is most'valuable and grand , than in this. That it seems to me as though wise and provident nature by the__djcta,tas>of-j ight-reason excited by the moving suggestions^ o f human ity : arid awed with theyustde^mands^of natural Hberty, equity^ equality, and principles of__se]f:j2res£Xi.atix)ji,™origi=. hall y drew up_the schemeTand then_oMalaeiL the roy al approbation . And certainly it is agreeable that we attribute it to God, whether we receive it nextly fro PL-reason or reYelat.iQn^,ibj that e ach is p gnnlly aji , emanation of his ^sjaiwn . (Prov. 20: 27.) The spirit o f man is the cand le of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly. There be many larger volumes in this dark recess called the belly, to be read by that candle God 6ks lighted up. And I am very 28 VINDICATION OF THE GOVEENMENT well assured the f ore-named constitution is a tr an- script out of so me of their p ages. (John 1 : 4, 9.) And the life was the light of men, which lighteth every man which cometh into the world. This ad- mirable effect of Ch rist's creating power in hangi ng o ut so many lights to guide man throu gh a dark world, is as applic able to the light of reason, as to t hat of revela tion. Foriljat,the,li^ght of reason as a law and rule of right, is an effect of Christ's good- nes s, care, and creating pow e r, as well as of rev ela- tion ; though revelation is nature's law in a fairer and brighter edition. This is granted by the London ministers (p. 8, c. 3) : " That that which is evident by, and consonant to the true light of nature, or nat- ural reason, is to be accounted Jure Divino, in mat- ters of religion." But in the further and more dis- tinct management of this plea, I shall, I. Lay before the reader several principles of nat- ural knowledge. II. Apply or improve them in ecclesiastical affairs. III. Infer from the premises, a demonstration that these churches, if not properly formed, yet are fairly established in their present order by the law of na- ture. CHAPTER n. I. I shall disclose several principles of natural knowledge, plainly discovering the law of nature, or the true sentiments of natural reason, with respect to man's being and government. And in this essay I OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHDROHES. 29 shall peculiarly confine the discourse to two heads, namely : 1. Of the natura l (in distinction from the civil), and then, 2. Of the civil beiag-oLJma n. And I shall princi- «/ pally take Baron(Tuflendorffl for my chief guide and spokesman^ (1 ) I shall consider man in a state of natural b eing, as a free-born subject under the, crown of heaven, and owing homage to none but God himself. It is certain civil g overnmen t in general is a yery_adnaira- b]e _ result of pyc^yidence . and a.nhicomparable benefit to jnaakiud, yet must needs be acknowledged to be " the effect of humaq . jfree-compacts and not of divin e i nstitution ; it is the p roduce of rnan's re ason, of hu- man and rational combinations, and not from any direct orders of infinite wisdom, in any positiyejaw wtie reTir^'T^ ^rifp' this nr that, sche me of civi l governmen t. I Government (says Lord Warrington) is necessary ... in that no society of men can subsist without it ; and that partViUlp.r f(;irrnn(anvprnmpnj i s necessary which best suits the ternp e r ang^ nclijia:^ tion of a people. Nothing can be God's ord\ance, but what he ria'S particularly deciared to be Isuch ; there -is— i].n pgrtijl'Tl '^'' ^"''"^ o fjn[yil_goye.rn rriprrt de"^ scribedJji_GQd's-:Hairdjjieither does nature prompt it. ^ V T h£ government of the Jews was^cH^ged five times /^ Government is not formed by nature, as other births or productions ; if it were, it would be the same in all countries ; because nature keeps the same method, in the same thing, in all climates. If a common- wealth be changed into a monarchy, is it nature that forms and brings forth the monarch ? Or if a royal 30 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT family be wholly extinct (as in Noah's case, being, not heir apparent from descent from Adam) is it na- ture that must go to work (with the king's bees, who themselves alone preserve the royal race in that em- pire) to breed a monarch before the people can have a king, or a government sent over them ? And thus we must leave the kings to resolve which is their best title to their crowns, whether natural right, or the constitution of government settled by human com- pacts, under the direction and conduct of reason. But to proceed under the head of a state of natu- ral_being , I shall more distinctly explain the state of human nature in its original ca pacity, as man is placed on earth by his Maker, and clothed with many investitures and immunities which propei'ly belong to man separately considered. As, I The_ _prime immunity in man's state, is that he is ' iTio s^properly the subject of the law o f nature. /He is the fg ^vorite anim al on earth : in that this part of God's image, namely, r eason, is congen ate with his nature, wherein by a l aw immutable, ensta mped upon his frame, God has provided a r ule for m en in all their actions, obliging each one to the performance of that which is right, not only as to justice, but like- wise as to all other moral virtues, the which is noth- ing but the dictate of right reason founded in the soul of man. (Molloy, De Mao, Prfef) r ^Jiat_whis h is to be drawn from man's reason, flovvinglVmnt he tr ue current of that faculty, when un perverted, ma y b e said to be the law of nature, on which accou nt, th e Holy Scriptures declare it written on men's h earts. For being endowed with a soul, you may know from OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 31 yourself, how, and what you ought to act. (Eom. 2 : 14.) These having not a law, are a law to them- selves. So that the meaning is, when we acknowl- ' edge the law ol nature to be the dictate of right re a- §1 011^ we'Timsf'nVean tliat ttie understahdi ii 'g'of man ig e ndowed with such a power, as to be able, from th e co ntemplation of human condition to discover a n e- c essity of living agreeably with th is law ; and like- wise to find out some principle, by which the pre- cepts of it, may be clearly and solidly demonstrated. T he way to discover the law of nature in our o w n s tate, is by a narrow watch, and accurate contemp la- ti on of our natural condition and propensi ons.' Oth- ers say this is the way to find' out the law of nature, namely, if a man any way doubts, whether what he is going to do to another man be agreeable to the law of nature, then let him suppose himself to be in that other man's room, and by this rule effectually executed. A man must be a very dull scholar to nature not to make proficiency in the knowledge of ■'her laws. But m ore particu larly in pursuing our condition for the discovery of the law of nature, this is very obvious to view, namely, (1) A principle of self-lo ve and self-preservation is very predominant in every man's being. (2) A s ociable disposit ion. (3) An affection or love to mankind in genera l.^ And to g ive such sentiments the force of a law, we must suppose a God who takes care of all mankin d, and h as thus obliged each o ne, as a subject of high er 'princi ples of being tlmn mere inst incts. For that all law, properly considered, supposes a capable subject and a superior power, and the law of God whicli is 32 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT binding, is published by the dictates of right reason as other ways. Therefore, says Plutarch, to follow God and obey reason is the same thing. But, more- over, that God has established the law of nature, as the general rule of government, is further illustrable from the many sanctions in providence, and from the peace and guilt of conscience in them that either obey or violate the law of nature. But, moreover, the foundation of the law of nature with relation^ to _goyerruzLent,may bcthus discovered-,-na7Hiely : rMaj3,„ 'vi23fii''?3i!?X?'-6XtremeLy- desirous of his own pMsepva- Jionj of himself he is plainly exposed to many wants, unable to secure his own safety and mainte- nance without assistance of his fellows ; and he is also able of returning kindness by the furtherance of mutual good; but yet man is often found to be ma- licious, insolent, and easily provoked, and as power- ful in effecting mischief as he is ready in designing it. Now that-s«eh-a~creatur-fr-m.ay_Jbe, preserved, itJis necessarj t-ibat--ha.be sociablej^ that is, that he be ca- pable and disposed to unite himself to those of his own species, and to regulate himself towards them, that they may have; no fair reason to do him harm ; but rather incline to promote his interests, and secure his rights and concerns. This then is a fundamental law of nature, that every man as far as in him lies, do maintain a sociableness with others, agreeable with the main end and disposition of human nature in general. For this is very apparent, that reason and society render man the most potent of all crea- tures. An_d_fi nally, from the principles of soc iable- n ess it foUowTas a fundamental law of nature, that nmnJsjnot.aa.Aveddeiljtoj3ia43rw but_that. OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHUKCHES. 33 he_raiij2iake,lheLXLQ,rnm^ good the jn ark of his_aim ; and hence he becQmiia_caf»acitated-to -enter into a c ivil state jby the,Iaw- ,of jxatiite.: for without this property in nature, namely, sociableness, which is for cementing of partSjCvery government would soon moulder and dissolve.l \ Th T he second great immunity of man is an origin al lib erty enstamped upon hi s rational nature. He tha t ^ i ntrudes upon this liberty, violates the law of natu re. ' I n this discourse J.ghall waive the consideration o f -— - -jj m an's moral turpitude, but shall view him physical lY as a creat ure which God has made and furnishe d es sent ially with many ennobling immunities, whic h re nder him the most august animal in the wor ld, and st ill, whatever has happened since his creation, h e re mains at the u pper end of nat ure, and as such is a creature of a. very noble charactep. For as to his do minio n, the whole frame of the lower part of the universe is devoted to his use, and at his command ; and his liberty under the conduct of right reason is equal with his trust. Which liberty may be briefly considered, internally as to his mind, and externally as to his person. (1) The-Jiative liberty of man's nature^implies. a, ..^ fac ulty jaf^eing or omitting thiHg s-a.ccardl>ig-4f>-4h^ dire ction of his_judgment. But in a more speci al me aning, this liberty does not consist in a loose an3 ^ un governable freedom, or in an unb nnnderl l icense of actJag yV^ Such license is disagreeing with the con di- tio n anoHignity of ma n, an d would make man of a low er and meaner constitution than brute creatur es, who in all their liberties are kept under a better and 3 34 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT more rational government by their instincts. There-, fore, as Plutarch says : Those persons only wholive in^ohedienae Jo_ reason, are worthy to be accojjaled Jreoj. they alone live as they will, who have learned what they ought to will. So that the true natural liberty of man, such as really and truly agrees to him must be understood, as he is guided and restrained by the ties of reason and laws of nature ; all the rest is brutal, if not worseJI (2) Man's externarpersonal, natm-al liberty, ant ece- de nt to all human parts or alliances, must also be ' consider ed. And so every man must be conce ived , t o be perfectly in his own power and disposal, a nd n ot to be controlled by the authority of any oth er. And thus every man must be acknowledged equ al to every man, s in ce aU subjection and all comm and are equally banished on both sides ; and considering all men thus at liberty, every man has a prerogative to judge for himself, namely, what shall be most for his behoof, happiness, and well-being. '} .. The third capital immunity belonging to m an's n ature, is an equality amongst m en ; which is not to be denied by the law of natu re, till man has resig ned hi mself with all his rights for the sake of a civil state, an d then his personal liberty and equality is to be c herished and preserved to the highest degr ee, as will consist with all just distinctions amongst men of I hon or, and shall be agreeable with the pu blic good. I For man has a high valuation of him self, andthe passion seems to lay its first Toundation (not in pride, but) really in the high and admirable frame and con- stitution of human nature. The word man, says my i OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHTJECHES. 35 author, is thought to carry somewhat of dig;ni ty in its sound ; and we commonly make use of this as the most proper and prevailing argument against a rude insulter, namely, I am not a beast or a do g, but am a man as well as yourse lf. Since, then, hu- man nature agrees equally with all persons, and sinc e no one can live a sociable life with another tha t , d oes not own or respect him as a mam, it follows a a a command of the law of nature, that every ma n . \ es teeni^nd treat another as one who is naturally hi s equ al, or who is a m an as well as he. There be many popular or plausible reasons that greatly illus- trate this equality, namely, that we all derive our being from one stock, the same common father of the human race. Qn this consideration. Bcethius check s t he pride of the insulting nobil ity. Quid genus et proavos strepitis ? Si primordia vestra, Auteremque deum spectas, NuUus degener extat Nisi vitiis pejora fovens, Proprium deserat orturn. / Fondly our first descent we boast ; If whence at first our breath we drew, The common springs of life we view, The airy notion soon is lost. The Almighty made us equal all ; But he that slavishly complies To do the drudgery of vice, Denies his high original. A nd also that our bodies are composed of matt er, fr ail, brittle, and liable to be destroyed by thousa nd accidents ; we all owe our existence to the same 86 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT m eth od of propagation. The noblest mortal in his entrance on the stage of life, is not distinguished by :any pom p, or of passage from the lowest of mank ind, ■ and our li fe hastens to the same general m ark. ■Death observes no ceremony, but kriocks as loud at theTaarriers of the court, as at the door of the cot- tageT'^This equality being admitted, bears a v ery ffl eat force in maintaining peace and frien dship anjongst men. For that he who would use the as- sistance of others in promoting his own advantage, •ought as freely to be at their service when they want his help on the like occasion. One good turn re- quires another, is the common proverb ; for other- wise he must need esteem others unequal to himself, who constantly demands their aid, and as constantly denies his .own. And whoever is of this insolent temper, cannot but highly displease those about him, and soon give occasion of the breach of the common peace. It was a manly reproof which Caractacus gave the Romans. Num si vos omnibus, etc. "What! beca use you desire to be masters of all men, does it foTIowtherefore that all men should de sire to be your slaves, for that it is a command of nature's law, tha t no man that has not obtained a particular and s pecial ri ght, shall arrogate to himself a larger share than his fellows, but shall admit others to equal privileges with himself. So that the principle of equality in a natm-al state is peculiarly transgressed by pride, which is, when a man without sufficient reason pre- fers himself to others. And though a s Hensius p ara- ph rases upon Aristotle's~~poirtics to this purp ose, n amely : Nothing is more suitable to nature, tha n that \^ t hose who excel in understanding and pruden ce, OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHTJECHES. 37 s hould rule and control those who are less happy in t hose advantages, etc. Yet we must n ote, that there is room for an answer, namely, that it^wQuld be the e[reatesf ahsiirdity to believe, that nature actually in - v ests the wise with a sovereignty over the wea k ; or with a right of forcing them against their wills ; for that no sovereignty can be established, unless some human deed or covenant precede. Li yor does natnp l fitn ess for governnaent make a man presentlY-^p y- ernor over another ;^for that as Ulpian says, by a hatufarTight all men are born free, and nature hav- ing set all men upon a level and made them equals, no servitude or subjection can be conceived without inequality ; and this cannot be made without usur- pation or force in others, or voluntary compliance in those who resign their f medom . and give away their degree of natural being. | And thus we come, 2. To consider man in a civi l state of being, whe re- in we shall observe the great? d ifference between a natural .and political sta jte : jfor in the latter sta te man y great disproportions a ppear, or at least many obvious distinctions are soon made amongst men, whiohdoctrine is to be laid open under a few heads. (1) \ E-'gery man, considered in- a-natural-sta-ternaus t be aUowed-to-be-fgae ,ajid.-ali-his o) y.q ,d,^p p£>sal : yet to su it man's inclinations to socie ty, and in a pecul- iar manner to gratify the necessity he is in of public rule and order, he is impelled to enter into a c ivil com munity, anJ"divests himself of his natural fre e- do m, and puts himself under government, whic h, amongst oth er things, comprehends the power of lif e and death over him, together with authority to enjoin 38 VINDICATION OP THE GOVERNMENT hi m some things to which he has an utter a version, and to prohibit him other things for which he m ay- h ave as strong an inclina tion — so that he maybe often, under this authority, obliged to sacrifice his private for the public good ; so that though man is inclined to society, yet he is driven to a combination by great necessity. For that the true and lea ding caus e of forming governments and yielding up n atu- ral liberty, and tlarowing man's equality into a com- nion pile to be new cast by the rules of fellows hip, was really and truly to guard Ih emgelves against "the injuries men were liable to interchangeably; for none so good to man as man, and yet none a greater enemy. I So that, (2) The first human subject, and original of civil power is the people ; for as they have a power every man over himself in a natural state, so upon a com- bination they can and do bequeathe this power unto others, and settle it according as their united discre- tion shall deter mine./ F or that this is very plain, th at w hen the subject of sovereign power is quite extin ct, that power returns to the people again. And wh en th ey are free, they may set up what species of govern ment they please : or if they rather incline to it, they may subside into a state of natural being, if it^ plainly for, the hest. In the Eastern country of the Mogul, we have some resemblance of the case, for upon the death of an absolute monarch, they live so many days without a civil head ; but in that inter- regnum those who survive the vacancy are glad to get into a civil state again, and usually they are in a very bloody condition when they return under the ■covert of a new monarch ; this project is to endear OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 39 the people to a tyranny, from the experience they have so lately had of an anarchy. (3) The formal reason of government is the will of a community yi elded up and su rrendered to som e o ther subj ect, either of one particular person or more, conveyed in the following manner. \ L et us conceive in our mind a m ultitude of men, a ll naturally free and equal, going about vo luntarily to erect themselves into a new commonwealth. Now t heir condition being such, to bring them selves into a politic body they must needs enter into div ers cove- nants . 1. They must interchangeably each man covenant y-- to join in one lasting society, that they may be \j capable to concert the measures of their safety, by a public vote. 2. A vote or decr ee must then nextly pass to set up some particular species of government over the m. '■' And if they are joined in their first compact upon absolute terms to stand to the decision of the first vote concerning the species of government, then all are bound by the majority to acquiesce in that par- ticular form thereby settled, though their own private opinions incline them to some other model. 3. After a decree has specified the particular fonp of goviernment, then there will be need of a new covenant, w hereby those on whom sovereignty is conferred eng age to take care of the common peace and welfare ; and the subjects, on the other hand, to yi eld them faithful obed ience ; in which covenant is included that submission and union of wills by which a state may be conceived to be but one person. | So 40 VINDICATION OP THE GOVERKMENT that the most proper definition of a civil state is thig, namely ijA civil f jtate is a compound moral perso n J whose \viir(united by those covenants before passed) is the will of all, to the end it may use and apply the strength and riches of private persons towards main- taining the common peace, security, and well-being of alljiwhich may be conceived as though the whole staT^was now become but one maiiA in which the aforesaid covenants may be supposed, under God's providence, to be the diyine fiat pronounced by God, " Let us make man." ^^nd by way of resemblance the aforesaid being may be thus anatomized. (1) The sovereign power is the soul infused, giv- \ ing life and motion to the whole body. (2) Subordinate officers are the joints by which the body moves. (3) Wealth and riches are the strength. (4) Equity and laws are the reason. (5) Counsellors the memory. (6) Salus Populi, or the happiness of the people is the end of its being, or main business to be attended and done. (7) Concord amongst the members and all estates, is the health. (8) Sedition is sickness, and civil war death. 4. The parts of sovereig nty may be considered thus : — ^ (1) As it prescribes the rule of action, it is rightly termed legislative power. (2) As it determines the controversies of subjects by the standard of those rules, so is it justly termed judiciary power. OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 41 (3) As it arms the subjects against foreigners, or forbids hostility, so it is called the power of peace and war. (4) As it takes in ministers for the discharge of business, so it is called the right of appointing magis- trates. So that all great officers and public servants must needs owe their original to the creating power of sovereignty; so that those whose right it is to create may dissolve'' the being of those who are created, unless they cast them into an immortal frame, and yet must needs be dissoluble if they justly forfeit their being to their creators. (5) The chief end of civil communities is, that men thils conjoined may be secured against the inju- ries they are liaBle to from' their own kind ; for if every man could secure himself singly, it would be great folly for him to renounce his natural liberty, in which every man is his own king and protector. (6) The sovereign authority, besides that it inheres in every state as in a common and general subject, so further according as it resides in some one person, or in a council (consisting of some select persons, or of all the members of a community) as in a proper and particular subject, so it produceth different forms of commonwealths, namely, such as are either simple and regular, or mixed. 1 T he forms of a regular state are three only, which for ms arise from the proper and particular subject j ti. Avh jch the supreme power reside s. As, 1. A democxaey. which is when the soverei gn p ower is lodged in a council consisting of all th e member s, and where every member has the privilege 42 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT of a vote . ( JThis form of government appears in t he greatest parT^f the world to have been the moa t... ancient. For that reason seems to show it to be most probable, that when men (being originally i n a c ondition of natural freedom and equality) h ad t houghts of joining in a civil body, would with out q uestion be inclined to administer their comm on affai rs by their common judgmei it, and so must necessarily, to gratify that inclination, establish a democracy ; neither can it be rationally imagined that fathers of families, being yet free and indepen- dent, should in a moment or little time take off their long delight in governing their own affairs, and devolve all upon some single sovereign commander; for that it seems to have been thought more equitable that what belonged to all should be managed by all, when all had entered by compact into one coramu- nityj The original of our government, says Plato (speaking of the Athenian commonwealth),was taken from the equality of our race. Other states there are composed of different blood, and of unequal lines, the consequences of which are disproportionable sovereignty, tyrannical or oligarchical sway, under which men live in such a manner as to esteem them- selves partly lords, and partly slaves to each other. But we and our countrymen, being all born brethren of the same mother, do not look upon ourselves to stand under so hard a relation as that of lords and slaves; but t he parity of our descent inclines us to ke ep uiLlbaJike parity by our laws, and to vield th e pr ^cedejcy to nothing but to superior virtue and wisdom . And moreover, it seems very manifest that most civil communities arose at first from the union OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHUECHES. 43 of families that were nearly allied in race and blood ; and though ancient story makes frequent mention of kings, yet it appears that most of them were such that had an influence rather in persuading than in any power of commanding. So Justin describes that kind of government as the most primitive which Aristotle styles an heroical kingdom, namely, such as is noways inconsistent with a democratical state. Deprincip. Reru. 1, 1. 1, c. v^ /A_ democr^cjy is then erected, whenl a number o f free persons do assemble together iflordei to -en ter into a coyenant for uniting themselves in a, bM^ ; and such a preparative assembly hath some appear- ance already of a democracy ; it is a democracy in embryo, properly in this respect, that e yery man hath, the j)rivilegeJr£ely^tQ-deliit£i--his-apiaioja-/"''"^'"'"^ "g t he comtn on afl^s.. Yet he who dissents from the vote of the majority; is not in the least obliged by what they determine, t ill by a secpi^^^gy jenant a. popular form be actuaUv established : for not before then can we__call it a democratical government, namely, tillUhe right of determining all matters relating to the public safety is actually placed in a general assembly of the whole people ; or by their own compact and mutual agreement, determine themselves the proper subject for the exercise of sovereign power. And to complete this state, and render it capable to exert its power' to answer the end of a ciyiL^tate, these-conditions are necessary. (1) That a certain time and place be assigned for assembling. (2) That when the assembly be orderly met, as to 44 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT Jime and place, that then the vote of the majority must pass for the vote of the whole body. (3) That magistrates be appointed to exercise tiie , authority of the whole for the better despatch of busi- ness of every day's occurrence, who also may, with more mature diligence, search into more important affairs ; and if in case any thing happens of greater consequence, may report it to the assembly, and be peculiarly serviceable in putting all public decrees into execution, because a large body of people is almost useless in respect of the last service, and of many others as to the more particular application and exercise of power. Therefore it is most agree- able with the law of nature, that they institute their officers to act in their name and steadJI / 2. The secflnd,^pecie s of regular government is - an^m-istoprijc y. and this is said then to be constituted when Jhe people or assembly, united by a first cove- nant, and having thereby cast themselves into the first rudiments of a state, do-then by common decree devolve the sovereign power on a council con sisting, of some select members ; and these having accepted of the designation, are then properly invested with sovereign command, and then an aristocracy is formed. 3. The third sp^es of a regular government is a monarchy , which is set tledjwhgn the sovere[gjij.Qwer is conferred on some one worthy person. It diflTers fronTtEe former, because a monarch, wlio is but.one person m^Wal as well as^i^ accoun t and so is furnished with an immediate power of exercising sovereign command in all instances of government; OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 45 but the forenamed must needs have particular time and place assigned, but the power and authority is equal in eaehTl [_ M'xed governments, which are various and of di vers kinds (not now to be enumerated), yet possibl y t he fairest in the wo rld is that which has a regul ar monarchy, settled upon a noble democracy as it s basis ; and each part of the government is so ad]"uste d by pacts and laws that render the whole constitution an e lysium . It is said of the British em pire, that it is such a monarchy as that, by the necessary subor- dinate concurrence of the lords and commons in the making and repealing all statutes or acts of parlia- ment, it hath the main advantages of an aristocracy and of a democracy, and yet free from the disadvan- tages and evils of either. It is such a monarchy as, by most admirable temperament, affords very much to the industry, liberty, and happiness of the subject, and reserves enough for the majesty and prerogative of any king who will own his people as subjects, not as slaves. It is a kingdom that, of all the kingdoms of the world, is most like to the kingdom of Jesus Christ, whose yoke is easy and burden light.7( Present state of England, Part I. pp. 64.) Thus havmg drawn up this brief scheme concerning man, and the nature of civil government he is become sole subject of, I shall proceed to make improvements of the premises to accommodate the rriain subject under our consid- eration. IT. I shall now make som e improvement of th e foregoing principles of c ivil knowledge, fairly deduc ed from the law of nature. And I shall peculiarly refer 46 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT to ecclesiastical aff airs, whereby vye may in p roba- b ility discover more clearly the kind, and someth ing of the nature of that government which Christ h as placed in and over his church. The learned debates of men, and divine writ sometimes seems to cast such a grandeur on the church and its officers, as though they stood in peerage with civil empire. (Rev. 1: 6, 9. 1 Pet. 2:9. 1 Cor. 4: 8. 12: 28. 2 Cor. 10 : 8.) But all such expressions must needs be otherwise interpreted. God is the highest cause that acts by council ; and it must needs be altogether repugnant, to think he should forecast the state of this world by no better a scheme, than to order two sovereign powers, in the same grand community, which would be like placing two suns in the firma- ment, which would be to set the universe into a flame. That should such an error happen, one must needs be forthwith extinguished, to bring the frame of natu£&i.nto a just temper and keep it out of harm's way. I But to proceed with my purpose I sh all go back upon the civil sche me, and inquire afte r two t hings : first, of rebellio n against government in gen- e ral, and then in special ; whether any of the afore- s aid species of regular government can be predi cable o f the church of God on eart h. 1. In general, concerning rebellion against govern- ment for particular subjects to break in upon regula r communities duly establish ed, is from the premis es to violate the law of nature, a nd is a high usurpation u pon the first grand irmmrmties of ma nkind/ " Suc h r ebels in sta tes, and usurpers in chu rc hes affi-ont the w orld, with a presumption that the best of the bro th- erhood are a company of fools, and that themselves OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 47 have fairly mon opolized all the reason of human na - ture ! Yea, they take upon them the boldness to as sume a prerogative of trampling under foot th e natural original Pgnality anri liberty of their fellows; for to push the proprietors of settlements out of pos- session of their old, and impose new schemes upon them, is virtually to declare them in a state of vas- salage, or that they were born so ; and therefore will the usurper be so gracious as to insure them they shall not be sold at the next market. They must es- teem it a favor, for by this time all the original pre- rogatives of man's nature are intentionally a victim, smoking to satiate the usurpers' ambition. It is a very tart observation on an English monarch, and where it may by proportion be applied to a subject must needs sin k very— d eep, and serve for evidence under this head.j It is in the secret history of K. C. 2, and K. J. 2, p. 2, says my author, where the con- stitution of a nation is such, that the laws of the land are the measures both of the sovereign's commands, and the obedience of the subjects, whereby it is pro- vided ; that as the one are not to invade what by concessions and stipulations is granted to the ruler, spthe ot^ej.iaJioi-tQ,deprive-them-J3£4;lieitlaw-£iil-««d determined rights and liberties ; then th e pri^c^ who ^\ strivesJxLj ilbvert the ^^'Mi»*iiw^»^i^J--lj^-w^ of the sociel^y is the traitor and JJlfureibelfcaad naTlire^people, who en^avoFTo^preserve and defend their own. It is very applicable to particular men in their rebellions or usurpations in church or state. 2. In special I shall now proceed to inquire, whether any of the aforesaid species of regular, un- mixed governments, can with any good show of rea- 48 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT son be p redicable of the church of Christ on e arth. If the churches of Christ, as churches, are either the object or subject of a sovereign power intrusted in the hands of men, then most certainly one of the fore- cited schemes Af a perfect government will be appli- cable to it. i Before "1 pursue the inquiry, it may not be im- p roper to pause, and make some caution here, by distinguishing between that which may have some resemblance of civil power and the thing itself, and s o the power of churches is but a faint resembl ance of civil powe r ; it comes in reality nothing near to t he thing its elf; for the one is truly coercive, the o ther persua sive ; the one is sovereign power, the other is delegated and ministerial. But not to delay, I shall proceed with my inquiry, and therein shall endeavor to humor the several great claimers of gov- ernment in the church of Christ. And, (1) I shall begin with a monarc hy. It is certa in, I h is holiness, either by reasonable pleas, or povi'erful c heats, has assumed an absolut e and universal sover- eignty ; t his fills his cathedral ch air, and is adorned •with a. triple crown , and in defence thereof does pro- test, The Almighty has made him both key-keeper of heaven and hell, with the adjacent territories of pur- gatory, and vested in him an absolute sovereignty over the Christian world. And his right has so far prevailed, that princes and civil monarchs hold their crowns and donations as his dutiful sons and loyal subjects ; he therefore decks himself with the spoils of the divine attributes, styling himself our Lord God, optimum, viaximum et supremum numen in terris ; a God on earth, a visible deity, and that his OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 49 power is absolute, and his wisdom infallible. And many of the great potentates of the earth have paid their fealty, as though it was really so. One of them clad in canvas, going barefoot in the depth of winter (in obedience to the decree, stinting the penance in proportion to the wickedness of princes), has waited many days for absolution at his pious gates. Another has thrown himself down prostrate a humble penitent before him ; he has placed his holy foot on the mon- arch's profane neck as crushing a vermin, crawling out of the stable of his sovereignty ; and others fre- quently kiss his toes with very profound devotion. These and such like triumphant signals of his sover- eign power does he wear. And indeed, if he is the universal monarch of the catholic church, princes that are members of it must needs knock under ; for that in one world there cannot possibly be two Most High's, any more than two Infinites. Thus you see the clergy, or gospel ministry of the Christian world have so wisely handled business, and managed the .gospel, that they have fairly (as they avouch) found a sovereign power bequeathed in it to the ministry of Christ, and rummaging more warily and nicely, at last found a spiritual monarch, very completely furnished with the keys of all sorts of power hanging at his girdle ; and may we not pronounce the wiser they ! Seeing the world growing weary of religion, was willing to loll itself down to sleep, and leave them in sole trust with the whole interest of God's kingdom. But the sad inquiry is, whether this sort of govern- ment has not plainly subverted the design of the gos- pel, and the end for which Christ's government was 4 50 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT ordained, namely, the moral, spiritual, and eternal happiness of men? But I have no occasion to pursue this remark with tedious demonstrations : it is very plain it is written with blood in capital letters, to be read at midnight by the flames of Smithfield, and other such like con- secrated fires. That the government of this eccle- siastical monarch has, instead of sanctifying, abso- lutely debauched the world, and subverted all good Christianity in it. So that without the leas^show o f any vain pres umption we may infer, thatvjjrod a nd wise nature were never propitious to the birth of t his monste r. \ (2) All aristocra cy which places the supreme po wer in a select company of choice perso ns. Here I freely acknowledge were the gospel ministry esta b- l ished the subject of this power, namely, to will and do, in all church affairs without control, etc., this g overnment might do to support the church in i ts most valuab le rights , etc. If we could be assu red the y would make the Scripture, and not t heir private w ill the rule of their personal and ministerial ac tions ; and, indeed, upon these terms any species of govern- ment might serve the great design of redemption ; but considering how great an interest is .embark ed, an d how frail a bottom we tr ust, though we should rely upon the best of men, espec ially if we remember what is in the hea rts of good men (namely, much ign orance, abundance of small ends, many tim es cl oaked with a high pretence in relig ion ; pride skulk- ing and often breeding revenge upon a small affront, and blown up by a pretended zeal, yet really and OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 51 truly by nothing more divine than interest or ill na- ture), and also considering how very uncertain we are of the real goodness of those we esteem good men ; and also how impossible it is to secure the entail of it to successors ; and also if we remind how Christianity, by the aforesaid principle, has been peeled, robbed and spoiled already, it cannot consist with the light of nature to venture again upon such perils, especially if we can find_a _safei-A\'^ary-^Hi€^ It is vef"y ~p1ain (aUdwing me to speak emblem ati- cally) the primitive con stitution of the churches wa s a democracy, as appears by the foregomg parallel - B ut after the Christian churches were received i nto th e favor of the imperial court, under the dominio n o f Constantine the Gr eat, there being many prelim- inaries which had furnished the ministers with a dis- position thereunto, they quickly deprived the frater- nities of their rights in the government of the churches, when they were once provided of a plentiful main- tenance through the liberality of Constantine, that when Christianity was so luxuriantly treated, as by his great bounty and noble settlement, it is said there was a voice heard from heaven, saying. Now is poi- son poured into the church. But the subversion of the constitution is a story too long now to tell. Take, therefore, part of it, out of a late author well versed in antiquity, which may give some brief image of the ^whole. Non multa secula jus plebis illcesum mansit, neque aliter evenire potuit, quin illud, vel amittatur, vel sal- tern diminuatur, etc. (De Ordina; DifF. Historica, p. 36, 40, 41.) 52 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT The right of the people did not remain unhur t throu gh rnany ages : neither r.nnid it wel] be otlier- -w ays, but that it must be lost, or much diminish ed. Zenaras does confess that heretofore bishops were chosen by the suffrage of the people. But many se- ditions happening among them, it was decreed that every bishop should hereafter be chosen by the au- thority of the bishops of every province. The cause seemed to be so very specious that nothing could be more decent, or more conducive to the safety of the commonwealth. Yet (says my author) if you do well weig h the business, you must needs acknowledge nothing c ould have happened more pernicious or destructive to the church of G od. For soon after these things came to pass, it is very obvious, that tyranny over the "con- sc iences of th e faithful, and an intolerable pr ide e verywhere g rew rampant among the guides of the church. Yet there was one thing still very needful ToT^e done, and that was to establish or confirm the power which the metropolitans and bishops had ac- quired to themselves. Therefore they fell to it tooth and nail to drive away the fraternity from all inter- est in elections. And alas, poor hearts ! they began to sleep with both ears ; that then was scarce any enemy left to interrupt, or control the conquerors. This was the manner of the clergy till they had made themselves the subjects of all power and then acted arbitrarily, and did what they pleased in the church of God. B ut let the learned, knowing world, consider what the issue of all this was, namely, w hat a wretched c apacity t he drowsiness and cowardice of the people, OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 53 and the usurpation and ambition of the minist ry broug ht the professing world into. If those who were truly godly on both sides had in a few ages looked down from heaven, and had eyed the follow- ing centuries, they might have beheld a world of matter for sorrowful impressions ; to think that they th emselves had occasioned the ruin of mil lions, by thei r remiss and passive tempe r in one sort ; and too much humoring and nourishing pride, and high con- ceits of themselves and others, in the other ; when as if they had stood firm to the government as left set- tled by the apostles, they had certainly prevented an apostasy that has damned and confounded a great part of about thirty generations of men, women, and children. That for my own part I can upon expe- rience, in some measure, truly say (to the history of the pri mitive churches in the loss of their go vern- m ent, and the consequences wh ich followed, when I am impelled to repeat it to my^self) as one Eneas said to Queen Dido, " lufandum regina jubes renovare dolorem Quis talia fando Tempp-ret e lacrimis ! " So doleful a contemplation is it to think the world should be destroyed by those men, who by God were 5ined to save it ! a word, an aristocracy is a dangerous constitu - in the church of Christ, as it possesses the pre s- b ytery of all church po wer./ " What has been o b- se rved sufficiently evinces i.K And not only so bu t fro m the nature of the con stitut ion, for it has no more barrier to it, against the ambition, insults, and y 54 VINDICATION OP THE GOVBKNMBNT arbitrary mea sures of men, than an absolute m on- archy. But to abbreviate, it seems most agreeab le with 'the light of nature, that if there be any, of th e regular government settled in the church of God, it rn yst needs be . 1(3) A democrac y. This is a form of governm ent w hich the light of nature does highly value, and o f- t en directs to as most agreeable to the just and na t- ur al prerogatives of human bei ngs.? This was of g reat a ccount in the early tim es oF the wo rld. And n ot o nly so, but upon the experience of several thousa nd years, after the world had been tumbled and tost from one species of government to another, at a great expense of blood and treasure, many of the wise na- tions of the world have sheltered themselves under it again, or at least have blended and balanced their go^'ornments with it. I I t is certainly a great truth, namely, that ma n's ori ginal liberty after it is resigned (yet under due r e- strictions) ought to be cherished in all wise go vern- ments ; o r otherwise a man in making himself a s ub- j ect, he alters himself from a freeman into a s lave, which to do is repugnant to the law of nature. Also t he natural equality of men amongst men rnusF be duly favo red ; in that government was never estab- lished by God or nature, to give one man a preroga- tive to insult over another, therefore, in a civil, as w ell as in a natural state of being, a just equality is t o be i ndulged so far as that every man is bound to hon or e very m an, which is agreeable both with nature and religion, (1 Pet. 2 : 17) ; Honor all menTj The end o f al l good government is to oultivate humanity, an d promote the happiness of all, and the, good of every OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 55 ma n-in- all his ripb t.s, his -lifp^li.hp.r.t;y. p.st.at.e, hnq,ni-, et c., 'BJJiiiiui.Jjiijir.vi-QJL-a.hpsp. rlnnr- tnugiy. ,/ Then cer tainly it cannot easily be thought that a compan y of m en, that shall enter into a voluntary compact, to h old all power in their own hands, thereby to u se a nd improve their united force, wisdom, riches, an d st rength for the common and particular good of every member, as is the nature of a democracy ; I say it cannot be that this^rt of constitutign will so readily furnish those in government with an appetite, or dis-,, position to prey upon each other, or embezzle the common stock, as some particular persons may be apt to do when set off and intrusted with the same power. \ And, moreover, this appears very natural, that when the aforesaid government or power, set- tled in all, when they have elected certain capable persons to minister in their affairs, and the said min- isters remain accountable to the assembly, these offi- cers must needs be under the influence of many wise cautions from their own thoughts (as well as under confinement by their commission) in their whole ad- ministration. And from thence it must needs follow that they will be more apt and inclined to steer right for the main point, namely, the peculiar good and benefit of the whole, and every particular member fairly and sincerely. And why may not these stand for very rational pleas in church order ? Ti'nr certainl y if O hrist Jig' s settled any form of po wer in his church 'he has done it for his churches' safety, and for the benefit of every member. Then he_must_needs be presumed to have made choice of that gOTgrnrnenta^sJiould least expose his people to hazard, dth^fi^m th_e_frand ,pr._axJ3i±ratyjieasures 56 VINDICATION OF THE GOVEKNMENT of particular men. An d it is as plain as dayl ight, tKere'are no species of govern ment l ike a democra cy to attain this end. T here are but about two s teps I rom an aristocracy to a monarchy, and from the nce but one to a tyra nny ; an able standing force, and an ill- nature, ipso facto, turns an absolute monarch i nto a tyrant; this is obvious among the Roman Caesars, and through the world. And all these direful trans- mutations are easier in church affairs (from the dif- ferent qualities of things) than in civil states. For what is it that cunning and learned men cannot make the world swallow as an article of their creed, if jthey:,^e^_once invested with an uncontrollable power, and are to be the standing orators to man- kind in matters of faith and obedience ? Indeed, some very wise and learned men are pleased to in- veigh and reproach, the notion of a democracy in the church, which makes the cetu fidelium or community of the faithful the first subject of the power of gov- ernment. This they say tends to Brownism, and abhorred anarchy, and then say they upon such prem- ises, it must needs follow that every member of the body must be an ofKcer ; and then every one must preach and dispense the sacraments, etc. Reply. Certainly such gentlemen either design to pose and bafHe their reader with fallacy, or they themselves never took up, or understood the true ideas of the several species of government ; in that a democracy is as regular a form, and as particular as any other. For, 1. An absolute or limited monarch cannot manage the power or government devolved upon him, with- out the great officers of the crown, or a large set of OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 57 ministe rs ; though possibly he may with the quicker despatch issue out his degrees, yet he must execute all by his ministry. And why may not a democracy be indulged the same liberty? And this will prevent all anarchy or confusion most apparently. But, 2 . The bitter pill to swallow in this doctrine of a d emocracy in the church, is the terrible power of l ife and deat h ; or the accountableness of particular memb ers to the assembly, and especially those in the m inistry ; but yet this is agreeable with the n ature of the constitu tion, and easUy managed without anarchy or popular confusion also, which would be made very evident, if we should but run the parallel in all points between the democracy of the state and church. But from the premises, I shall III. Infe r, that if these churches are not pro perly for med, yet are fairly established in their present or - der by the law of natu re. And will they be advised , I would exhort ther^ •^'>^''y y^" w^'' be so bold as to dare to disseize th em.) A _ monarchy has been tri ed in the church with a witness, but it has absolutely failed us. An aristocracy in a dee p calm threw th e de mocracy overboard, and took not only the helm in hand, but seized ship and cargo as their right and title ; but after some time brought all to shipwreclj If, a nd that in a good harbor to o. A de mocracy was the noble government wh ich beat out in all the bad weather often-bloody persecu - ti ons und er t he management of antiquity. AndJhiS -, is o ur constitutio n, and why cannot we be pleased ? This constitution is as agreeable with the light and laws of nature as any other whatsoever, as has been 58 VINDICATION OP THE GOVERNMENT fairly laid down and fully evinced, and more accom- modated to the concerns of religion than any other. Therefore, I^hall now. £0-n elude my dernonsfaatLon with this brief appeal to the commoi^ reaso n of-man- kind, namely : How can it consist with the honorable terms m an holds upon here on e arth ; that the best sort of m en that we can find in the world, such men as ar e a dorned wit h a double set of ennobling immuni ties, the first from nature, the other from grace ; that th ese m en when they enter into charter-party to mana ge a t rade for heaven, must ipso facto be clapped und er a g overnment that is arbitrary and desp otic ; yea that c arries the plain symptoms of a tyra nny in it, when t he light of nature knows of a better species, and fre- quently has made use of it ? It wants no furt her demonstration, for it is mos t apparent, that nature is so much mistress of h erself, that man in a natural I s tate of being, is under God the first subject of all ' \ p ower, and therefore can make his own choic e, and ^ b v deliberate compacts settles hi s own conditions for th e government of himself in a civil state of bein g. And when a governm ent so settled shall throw itself fr om its foundati ons, or the subjects of sovereign power shall subvert or confound the constitution, t hey then degrade thems elves ; ai?d so all power re- tur ns again to the people, who are the first owne rs. And what ! Is man become so unfortunate, degraded, and debased, as to be without all power in settling a government over himself, relating to the matters of his eternal well-being ? Or when he comes back to a father's house, must he fall into the capacity of a mere passive being, and be put under such tutors, as OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 59 can easily turn tyrants over him, and no relief left for him in his own hands ; this is certainly most repug- nant to the light of nature, and very disagreeable with the liberty and free genius of a gospel state. iN ay, in a word, if the government of the churches be V s ettled by God, either in the hands of a church mon - a rch, or ar isto cracy, and the people are noways the subject of church-power ; nay, if they are not unde r C hrist, the fountain of power, then the Reformati on, s o called, is but a mere cheat, a schism, and not o- rious rebellion ; neither is there room left for the le ast pa lliation or shadow of excuse, for the reformers in r enouncing their obedience to their public governo rs, j And the Martyrologi es which pretend to immortalize the fame of eminent heroes, must be changed into chronicles, handling along an account of the just and deserved fate of a crew of rebels against G od and government; for what business had such a compa ny of illiterate and crack-brained fellows to meddle with t heir rulers, or examine into their administratio ns? F or if they have n o ri^-ht of power in govergm en t , th ey sfand absolntely bo und tn yield a p asajjis. ohe. - d ience nnd ^oii-resistanqe ; and if they are so hardy and daring as to oppose their lawful rulers, the sharp- est penalty in this world, is too easy for them ; the inquisition is but dallying and playing with them, hell is their de sert. But how it comes about that a state of grace, when in want of a suitable govern- ment, is oecome such a vassal, and wise and cunning n afuire is py her Creator intrusted, and adorned wit h more ennob ling prerogativ es, I must leave, and resign unto those learned men to solve, who plead for an aristocracy in the churches of Christ.'^ 60 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT But to wind up the whole discourse in a few wordsjl ack nowledge many objections may be here mad"e7a"nd several ques tions of moment might here fall under debate ; but "having obtained what I have principally sought for, in traversing the paths of na- ture, in the three following particulars ; therefore with them, and with one objection answered ; and also with some brief improvement of the grand hy- pothesis in this demonstration, I shall finish the argu- ijjent. I 1. Three particulars ; or so many golden maxims, securing the honor of congregational churches. P articular 1. That the people or fraternity und er t he gospel, are the first subject of power ; . or else r e- li gion sinks the dignity of human nature into a ba ser capacity with relation to ecclesiastical, tha n it is in, in a natural state of being with relation to civil gov- ernm ent. ■^ Parlicular 2. That a democracy in church or sta te, is a very honorable and regular government accor d- ing to the dictates of right reas on. , And, the refore. Particular 3. That these churches of New E ng- la nd, in their ancient constitution of church ord er, it being a democracy, are manifestly justi/ed an d d efended by the law and light of natur e. jf 2. The objection. The plea from thelaw^of natu re f or a democracy in the church, is as forcible for an y o ther species of governrn ent ; because nature is fu r- nis hed with such a variety of sch emes as has been pleaded to. And why may not the wise Christian nations take which likes them best ? Ansiver^ We must distinguish between man left s olely to the direction of the law of nature, and a s OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 61 the subject of revelation, wherein divine wisdom may int erpose ; and determine on some particninr spi^ nies, without hurting or cros sing t.lip Inw nf n ature. Therefore, (1) I readily grant and acknowle dge, a Christi an people m ay settle what species of government th ey pl ease, when they are solely left to determine by th e l aw of nature, what government in the church th ey will ha ve. But then we must remember, that by the argument or concession, jthejjower is originally in the people ; and then our own case is secure and safe enough ; both on the account of the reversion of power, and especially, for that the people the first subjects of power, have been pleased to settle a de- mocracy for their government, in the churches of this country. And if after the peaceable possession of about an hundred years, any persons can persuade them to alter their government into any other species, this will be less worthy of blame, than craftily, or un- fairly to force it out of their hands. (2) It is granted, that according to the light of nature there be vaiious regular models of government, but if divine wisdom is pleased to interpose and overrule nature's agitations, and cast the scales for this or that particular form, nature will be but fair- mannered to submit to its author and rector ; so that if we find that God has (fedosed his^ mind, h^^ reve- latiorTfhat his churches be the subjects of^ a demcfc - racy, theh_all..,ataHd obliged to -CDingly__under a doublebond. And so we come under a proper crisis to inquire in the next place for Scripture evidence in the justification of these churches. But before I proceed to it, I shall 62 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT 3. Make some brief improvement of the main hypothesis in the demonstration — that is to say, if the government of the gospel churches be a democ- racy, these consequences must necessarily follow, namely : 1st Conse quence. That the right of convok ing councils ecclesiastical is in the churches . 2d Cons. That such a council has only consulta- tive, not a juridical power in i t. A juridical power committed to such a representative body is both needless and also dangerous to the distinct and per- fect states they derive from. Complete states settled upon a body of immutable and imperial laws as its basis, may want council ; but to create a new subject of juridical power, is some way to endanger the being of the creators. 3d Cons. That all t he members of anecclesiasti- , ca l council, deriving from a democracy, are subjec ts of equal pow er. " Whatever the power is, the sev eral del egates must, from the nature of the aO vieHiment th ey derive from, be equal sharers in it. Pemocrati- cal states, in their representative body, can make but one house, because they have but one subject of supreme power in their nature, and therefore their delegates, let them be who or what they may be, are under equal trust — so that none can justly claim superiority over their fellows, or pretend to a higher power in their suffrage. Indeed in such kingdoms, where the sovereign power is distributed and settled in divers subjects, that the balance of power may be more even, for the safety of' the whole, and of all parts under all acts of sovereign power. From such a settlement of power, there arises several distinct OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 63 states in the same government, which when convened as one subject of sovereign power, they make differ- ent houses in their grand sessions ; and so one house or state can negative another. (But J.ii._eyery distinct house_o£JJiea&,.siai£atJiliajii£mbeBS~^^^ in their, votg : the most ayes make the afSrmativ.e vote, and most noes the negative. They do not weigh the intellectual furniture, or other distinguishing qualifi- cations of the several voters, in the scales of the golden rule of fellowship ; they only add up the ayes and the noes, and so determine the suffrage of the house. 64 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATION III. FKOM HOLY SCEIPTUEE. T his plea has, with such variety o f argument and il lustration, and by many repetitions, been pursu ed by a great number of persons eminent for learni ng an d piety, that I might here very fairly release m vself f rom this task. But yet, to complete the number of my arguments, I will briefly sum u p the demonstra- tion for the reader's use under a few heads. .-■'■' I . It must needs be allowed, as a fundamen tal prin ciple relating to government, that (under Go d) .all pQW-er-^j^—nri g-i nally in the - people . No ma n, I think, will deny it to be a very sound principle in c ivil know ledge. B ut if any man will, I imagin e it i s sufljciently set forth in the former demonst ration. A nd it is very plain that religion does always c ulti- v ate and increase, rather than diminish, any of n ature's just prerogativ es: t hat it must needs st and fo r a paradox, or a riddle not to be expounded, if m an is more of a slave by his religion than by his nat ure. B ut let us take a brief view of man by Scriptu re a ccount under a religious notion, as the subjec t of gl^e, and he seems then not to have the least sp eck of vassalage in hi m, but is represented as thn£^hjnvd of himself, and owner of heaven and earth both, 1. Cor. 3 : 22 — all are you rs. x^nd though it is very certain that man has greatly OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 65 d ebased himself by his apostasy, yet still God pu ts abundance of honor upon him in his reducti on. As we may consider man in a remark o r two, under th e me asnres of divine grace in restoring him to fa vor- Fi rst, God treats him as a creature of a very hon or- a ble chara cter, as free and at h is own di sposal, or as though he were some high and mighty state placed at the top of this globe ; therefore he courts him into an alliance as though he were likely to yield great honor to the crown. " We are ambassadors — as though God did beseech you by us ; we pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God," — 2 Cor. 5: 20. This is much the tenor of God's heralds in their addresses of capitulation. That certainly if God d id not h ighly estimate, man as a creature exalted by hi s^ re asoii, liberty, and' nobleness of nature, he would not ca ress him as he does, in order to his , submission, bu t r ather with some peevish and haughty monarch , or the bloody Mahomet, send his demands at the mouth of his cannon. But instead of such harsh measures, the y are treated with the hig hest re ason, attende d wi th lenity and great acts of condescen sion! Nay, divine menaces are frequently clothed with such soft language as this: "Turn ye, turn ye! why will ye die ! " Yea, under all impulsive means which God wisely and graciously makes use of to gain man's consent, he sets the will to turn about itself without forcing it, that so man's religion may be the free and candid emanations of his noble and exalted nature. But when God has thus gained man, may we rati on- all y imagine that in erecting his trophies, he will assi gn and make him over to some petty and ar bi- trary potentates in matters of religi on ? or settle him 5 I 66 VINDICATION OP THE GOVERNMENT under a despotic government as though he were the spoils of a spiteful war? No, certainly; but man must now be considered as some high ally invested with more power than ever. This would still be more evident if we should consider what Christ has done, and how they stand joint heirs with him in his purchase and kingdom. (Rom. 8 : 1, 16, 17.) II. The power placed in man t hat enables h im to inanage religious affairs is not sovereignT^ ut limited and confined power. (1) All laws are ena cted already, and (2) there is no coercive power nee dful i n the church. The highest act in administe ring j udicature is excluding a person out of the socie tvt In the church there are no fees or fines, e tc. In civil empire, to keep mankind in any good decorum, there is much hard work to be done, in peace and war ; under mesne process, and in criminal causes. There is forming of armies, raising the posse comitaius, building of castles, etc. ; cropping of ears, chopping off heads, and what not! — so that civil governm ent h as need of an immense power as well as treasu re, and to be clothed with bjass and iron. But as f or the church of God, faith, prayers and tears are gen- erally their best w eapons against the hostility of foreigners ; and in the government of their home- born, it may be done by soft words or hard words. (1 Thess. 5: 12. Heb. 3: 13-10: 24, 25.) So that the business does not require abundance of external force, or form of government. That it is a thousand pities to make such a great noise and bustle in the world about church power, as though the subjects of it were to furnish armies and navies to encounter half the potentates on earth in defence of the church. OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 67 When, alas ! good men, as to all occasion for power, it is quite another thing, and the exercise of it gen- erally falls within reach of an ordinary reason. That cert ainly whatever the right of the brotherhood is as t o tha,„oxigiiial»o£.-power.. there can not, be abnnd ^ nc pi QL badj3me.BSarLal -li;)wiri,o- thpm Rnm&shai-ein.rlinyf h judicatory, , III. Power — this word seems to be all thun - d er: but, howeve r , it is very copious, and may be ap plied to Go^aod his creatu res. It is predicable of the latter, in their different classes and orders of being, and none so weak but have some share of it. B ut to confine the word to polity , etc. It is by some thus defined, namely : Power or authority — is that whereby a man may cl aim, or challenge any thing to oneself, without t h e injury of another, upon a su pposition, this is a t rue definitio n. Query. "Whether Christian people may not clai m or challenge the following rights or prerog atives with- , out doing injury to any, namely : 1. Whether, if they are pleased (a suitable number of them) to enter into a religious socie ty, by punctual and vol untary com pacts to support the worship of God in the' world ; whether this may not be done without injuring any ? and then, ' | 2. When so united, whether they may not cho ose their own officers. 3. Discipline their own membe rs. 4. Represent t hemselves upon proper emergenc ies, by their delegates (al l which are the principal pillars Llit ibiJ— u zfl^ iiL i ui ii ry do ne t' } f)"y "thprs ? But to 68 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT proceed a little further in opening the nature of power. If we unite dunamis and exousia, namely, strength of nature and authority of institution into one proposition, then political power may be thus defined, namely : Power is an ability, furnished with a lawful right- t^ act. Now, upon a presumption of the validity of this proposition, power may be easily apprehended as vested in every church, and in every member and officer of a church, according to the nature, degree, and duty of each subject of power, and may act and exert their several powers and authorities without any incongruity, or interfering one with another. IV. That a gospel P.hnvp.h esspntiajly p.pnsirl- ere d as a body incorporated, is the subject of all c hurch power. T hough a church thus conside red c annot formally exercise all branche s of power be- l o_nging to it, neither can the subject of soverei gn p ower itself exert all acts of power till fitted w ith p roper organs or a suitable ministry, and yet it ca n- no t be denied but that all power really, and all acts of power virtually, must need s be in it. And so in a church. Therefore as to church power in the exercise of it, it may be distributed into what belongs (1) to the combination of many, namely, the power of judg- ment and donation. Or, (2) to what belongs to one or more set off for that end, namely, the power of office. This distribution, Mr. Hooker pursues with great illustration. (Surv. p. 1, p. 187.) Here I shall confine myself to the consideration of the exercise of that power which belongs to the brotherhood in dis- tinction to office power ; which principle I shall pur- OP THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 69 sue by evincing the truths of the following proposi- tion, namely : That t he Scripture does warrant a government i n gos pel churches, consisting of the exercise of seve ral di stinct powers inherent in the fraternity, in dist inc- tio n to office trust. This may be evinced , I. B y the recitation of ihp. several distinct pow ers themselves. II. By the dignity .which the Scriptures put-apo n the c hurches as free stateSj ajad-SJabjectg pf JQQW£I i n distinction from their officers. I. By the recitation^df tjbe s everal distinct po wers, both preparatory to, and resulting. frojJLtheir coiubir nation. ITThere is a preparatory power in them both as rat ional and sanctified beings of forming themsel ves i nto churche s. This affirmation seems to me as fully contained in the genuine sense of Scripture, as though w ritten in some divine manife sto, in such ter ms as these, namely : Let this be proclaim ed th rough all the earth, that I. the Lord Jesus Chr ist, h ave invested all holy and good Christian people , bo th by nature and grace, with power to enter in to church order, for the advance of my name and t heir o wn edification. If we had such an article in Scrip- ture written in terms, we should have made great use of it in justifying our constitution ; for it plainly settles all p ower originally (under Christ) in th e people. And then if such a power or faculty be in them when in separate parts, as to assemble and enter into solemn engagements, and thereby to enter into a church state, it necessarily follows that having 70 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT embodied, they may easily go forward and provide for their own well-being. He that hath read the gospel and observed how many churches are men- tioned, without notice taken of the manner of their origination, must needs allow the observation to be a fair consequence from it ; it being so agreeable with the light of nature. 2. Thej)owers resulting from iheir combination may be morejdisJjj.ictIy^ieeited. (1) Power. The election of o fficers. £lffic«.rs are for_the. w^ell-being, and completing... of „,any state. There is no regular government that can well subsist without them ; these are the hands, the eyes, and feet of government in administration. To separate qual- ified persons to the highest office trust in a state, is by civilians attributed to the creating power of sover- eignty. So that it must needs be a great power be- longing to the church under this head, and that it is the churches' prerogative I might reason, ex jwre superioritatis. Forjthat the church_is_sup£riDJ to ite officers, and not the officers, to the church. For that churches are not made for officers, but officers for churches ; therefore, says the apostle, 1 Cor. 3 : 22, " All things are yours — whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas." But I shall principally depend upon the example and practice of the apostolical church under this head. It is a celebrated saying of Cyprian in pressing Acts 1 : 26, to confirm the power of the ,( people in choosing and refusing their officers. Plebs ^Christiana maxime potestatem habet, vel dignos sac- ■'erdotes eligendi, vel indignos recusandi. The_high^ est power of electing worthy officers and rejecting ^' unworthy is in the people. For the whole church, OF THE NKW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 71 says Turretinus {de Jure Vo.), duos eligit, chooses two to undergo the lot for the apostleship, that they might supply the vacancy by the death of Judas, Acts 1 : 23, 26. And, indeed, it is contrary to all civility and reason to imagine the apostles would be so trivial in their ministry, or prodigal of their own authority as to indulge the fraternity in such actions, namely, such as electing an extraordinary officer, if the election of officers did not belong to them. So in the choice of the deacons mentioned. Acts 6 : 2, 3, 5, the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them and said — Brethren look you out seven men, whom we may appoint over this business. The saying pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, etc. It must needs be very surpris- ing, if the apostles should thus dignify and intrust . the brethren with a prerogative of electing these offi- cers, if the power of election was not inherent in them, that unless any one can fairly make it out that the apostles were either in jest or did they know not what, in directing the brethren to do as they did in the recited examples, it must needs stand for a truth that the power of electing officers is in the fraternity of the church, by the judgment of Christ's apostles. (2) Power iudicat ory. (Mat. 18 : 15, 20.) This paragraph of Holy Writ lays open a scheme of juridi- cal power in the subject of it, that is the church ; and this is to be observed, that from the first commence- ment of the process to the final issue in the execution of the obstinate and criminal member, all is to be ascribed to the authority of the church ; for what business has one man to interrupt another in his crimes and unlawful pleasuresTlmless he has power 72 VINDICATION OE THE GOVERNMENT SO todp? And how comes one man to have power oyer .an.o.thfiivunless,.conquest, hostility, or compacts hays,made them liable, as members of the same community or subjects of „the same government? Therefore the offended person, proceeding regularly for detecting a delinquent, must needs be supposed to derive his power from the same fountain, namely, the sessions where the case is finally to issue by exe- cution, and the subject of this power is the church. Tell the church. But, moreover, let it be considered, that to speak byjway of allusion, there be several removes of the. action of trespass from one hearing to another,, aa. though it go from an inferior to a superior sessions, and that Christ was here, in this precept, settling in- ferior and superior assizes in his kingdom. And in- deed there cannot be a wiser scheme drawn up, that- shall carry the aspect of more grace, love, humility, tender regard to honor, and also justice than this, both for the encouragement of religion, the awing of spec- tators, and keeping the church pure. But to proceed, 1. In making out process, the first trial is to be had at the assizes of a man's own intellectual powers, reason, conscience, etc. being assembled, are to sit in judgment, hear the pleas, and the indictment being read and justified must pass sentence, and at this bar the case may be fairly issued. If he shall hear thee thou hast gained thy brother. So that most cer- tainly the plaintiff has a right to enter his case at this sessions, and here we see it may be issued ; then certainly this is a branch of the power of judicature, otherwise an aggrieved person might expect a very severe repulse from a sturdier offender, for interrupt- OP THE NEW ENOLAND CHURCHES. 73 ing a man's repose of mind in his own actions. What saucy clown is that ? Who dare challenge my conscience with the cognizance of any crime ? Bold- face ! Where is your commission ? Who made thee a ruler? (Acts 7 : 27.) In civil affairs particular men when injured, must not make bold to correct an or- dinary trespass upon their persons or interests, but by forms of law ; if they do, especially if by measures which are grievous, they may be indicted themselves for disturbers of the peace. That certainly this branch of the text refers to a legal bar and lawful power, so that the complaining party may commence his suit with boldness, produce his pleas and demand justice. But the critical question is. Who is judge of this court ? Certainly it is some layman's powers, supposed to be very competent judges, as sufficiently skilled in the rules of court, and how to apply them. And why may not all the judges contained in the whole series of judicatory laid open in this text be of the same sort ? For that the case is not so deep, but tTiat tbe first judges and sessions it comes before are supposed by our wise Saviour and lawgiver, capable fully to understand and traverse it, and do judgment and justice upon it, and bring it to a final issue. .But,, 2. Upon a defea t the process goes forward by re- moving the suit b y an appeal to a more imparti al hearing. The next sessions therefore by review, is to consist of one or two of the brethren. (Take one or two more.) But possibly some may be ready to say. Ah ! We are like to have very good justice be- fore so wise a sessions ! Well, it is what Christ has appointed, and let us keep his path and it will bring 74 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT US safe home ; for that these persons are commission- ated by Christ, as capable judges, and therefore are to exercise one branch of the power fixed in the church. But when the case is gone thus far through the law, and the adverse party will not submit to the last verdict that is brought in, the case must be re- moved again. For that, It is allowed to have one trial more, and no more, and that is to be before the church. For if he hear not the church, he shall be as an heathen man, etc., that is to say, the church shall then issue out execu- tion, which is the end of the law. O bject. But the great and stupendou s objection which crosses our way, is, that the governing church is h ere meant ; that is to say, the presbyt ery m their classes and several sessi ons, till you come to the last appea l. Answ. 1. It is very unscriptural to forc e such an i nterpretation on the^ text ; for if we consider the etymology and universal acceptation of the word churc h, the objection will be found very defective, both in its rhetoric and divinity ; there being no h ar- bor f or it within the sense of Farnaby's tropes or figure s. And as for its divinity, let the objection but cite one text more wherein church is mentioned and officers are intended, and we will resign. But with- out it to yield so great an interest upon so slender a claim is repugnant to justice and honor. But, 2. How can wise men manage their souls, or.brjn g th em into sucTi a figure'aslo'think that Christ should h ave such a far reaeh'in his thought.s~in such„easy '^ c ases as are plainly contained in the teg t ? The no- tions in the objections are plainly ridiculous to the OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 75 light of nature, in ttiat civil measures adjust accord- ing to the degree and nature of suits and cases. A cause of twelve pence is triable by a single justice, and one appeal brings the suit to the end of the law. Indeed cases which are of greater weight and value, have a larger scope in the law allowed them, etc. And what! Is there the least shadow for a pretence that such cases as are within our text, namely, such as may be issued by one single brother making his suit to his brother's reason and conscience, etc., or by two at the most, and that at the sole charge of a few honest pleas from the heads of charity or piety ? I say, are these cases so grand as to be transmitted from one class to another, till they arrive at the chief seat where the definitive sentence is to be given forth ? There is apparently some great fallacy in the objection, or certainly our blessed Saviour did not state his cases right ; for let us again consider, who must sign the bill of cost at last ? Or who must bear all the charges of writings, witnesses, travels of horses and men ; and for all expense of time and money, from the sessions first mentioned, and so from sessions to sessions, and from class to class, until all is brought to a final issue ? When as possi- bly the original writ of process, or first action, might not contain in real civil damage, a farthing more than about a groat or sixpence. And what, can we think that our wise Saviour would adjust his settle- ments at no better a rate than this comes to ? Vah I proh dolor I Men have plainly made a fool of man- kind by corrupting this text, whereby they have set the discipline of the church at such a charge, that millions of millions have run out in waste to humor 76 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT their ambition ; when as the wise and innocent churches of God in their single capacities would have done better justice, and have drained nothing more from you than some tears of contrition. For, 3. What is more natural than to imagine a church o f believers, with their set of graces and comm on prudence (especially when under the influence of a regular ministry), should be held capable to execute this rule, according to the full sense of it; yea, THough they bring the delinquent in the traverse of the case to the highest censure. Indeed, it must be acknowledged, t hat excommunication, maior_o j: minor, is an awful result of "authority ; yet not real ly in every respect and in all degrees quite so bitter a s d eath itsel f. And yet death is very frequently dis- p ensed to capital sin ners, and that solely by the ver- dict of their peers, namely, twenty-four good and lawful men of the vicinage, are in forms of law a sufficient judicatory to take away a man's life, and the venerable bench of judges must not overrule, but stand and say amen, in that good justice is done in the world by such a small company of illiterate men, the law having assigned them to this s.ervice. To the foregoing precept let us join, Col. 4 : 17. 1 Cor. 5 : 12. Rev. 2 : 2, 2a 1 Thes. 5 : 41. Gal. 6 : 1. Now to conclude/let the reader lay all these Scrip- tures together, which contain rules of judicatory for the churches, and then let him answer me with good reason if he can, and tell me why these Scriptures may not be esteemed the churches' magna charta in matters of censure and judicature, as well as that be held such a golden rule in the judicial proceedings of English government, mentioned in the great charter c iNJ. OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 77 of English liberties, chap. 29. No freeman shall b e ta ken, or imprisoned, or -be.dissfiised... of his freeho ld, libe rty, or free customs, or be outla\^"ed or exiled, or anY ~other ways destroyed, nor will we press up on h im, nor condemn him, but by lawful judgment o f his peers. N ow gentlemen ! Do not you think tha t th e Lord Jesus Christ, the King of heaven, is a s ca reful and tender of his subjects as the king of En g- l and is of h is ? And, indeed, why should not each set of subjects be equally and alike guarded from the hazard of oppression, or the arbitrary measures of each ministry ? Unless those that belong to the gospel are formed out of a distinct clay from each other ? . (3) Powe r. To represent themselves in synodi cal c onventions, for the establishment of this power i n t he churche s, see Acts 15 : 2, 22, 23 ; and for a more ample display and conformation of this point, I refer the reader to the excellent treatise of Dr. Increase Mather, in his disquisition concerning ecclesiastical councils. II. T he dignity which the Scriptures put unde r the churches a s free states, and subjects of power i n distinction fro m their officers ! It is very plainthat most of the epistles of St. Pa. ul w hich make up a great part of the canon of Scr ip- ture, we re directed to the body of the brotherhoo d, and peculiarly adapted for their use, with little or no notice at all taken of the ministry therein. In sum, when he was just concluding his letter and winding up his discourse with his grace and re- spects to some choice Christian friends, he puts the officers in with them, and orders the brotherhood to 78 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT give his salutations to them as persons unconcerned vi^ith the contents of the epistle, Heb. 13 : 24. In the last verse but one in the whole epistle, says the apostle, Salute all them that have the rule over. That whatever other meanings may be in such meth- ods of divine writings, they must needs respect some high powers and trust vested in the churches. Those epistles sent to the angels of the churches of Asia; the principal share of those letters literally taken, which belonged to the ofScers, is but the superscrip- tion ; the contents of the letters are immediately di- rected to the fraternity. Where there is any thing amiss the fraternity is reprehanded ; where there is any thing worthy of credit, they are commended. Or if there is any thing in point of order or discipline to be done, they are directed and commanded. All is to the churches. Therefore it is said again and again. He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches, etc., Rev. 1 : 7. Final ly, Let any considerate man but read and well pond er t he epistles to the Corinthian. Ephesian. etc. churc hes, and obser ve the characters of the bro therhood ; with the precepts how they shall act personally and with authority one towards another, etc., he must then needs subject his mind to the force of this conclusion, namely, t hat Christ's gospel churches in their frat er- ni ties, are not such ciphers as they stand in som e men's accounts ; but are really and truly prope r bodie s fui rbf powers and authorities, for the governmen.t-,of t hemselv es and all their con cerns, as all democraci es are. OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 79 DEMONSTRATION IV. F rom the excellent nature of the constitut ion, in th at it exceeds all that have been yet extant in th e C hristian w orld. This I shall endeavor to illustrate by three pleas. Plea I. In that it best suits the great and nobl e designs of the gospel, and that in a peculiar manne r as it tends to the promoting holiness in the wo rld ; not only from th e strict nature of the constitution in the admission of members, when ce the churches b e- c ome a more exact emblem of heave n, both for the illuminating and dreading of others, that beholdi ng th eir goodness^ may glorify God in the day of visi ta- tion . (1 Pet. 2 : 12.) But from the great advanta ge put into the hands of the best sort of men (solid, pious, wise, and unbiased men), of furnishing a coun - try with persons eminently qualified for jLhe, minis try. and keeping theni so. There is no lurking-place fo r Symony in this constitution. There is no buyi ng and selling ot ottices, whereby the world has been miserably cheated and debauched. H ere is no back stairs for cousins and favorites to climb up to hig h seats without desert ; it is merit and intrinsic wort h set the value, and hold the strongest plea for prefer- ment here. Hence every village and corner of a town, where religious congregations are settled, are furnished with persons for the gospel ministry of such 80 VINDICATION OP THE GOVERNMENT learning, and bright saints, and of such real and dis- tinguishing virtue and zeal, that they must needs be very prevalent in carrying on the iBain design, etc. But this plea is fully pursued by Dr. Owen, in his Enquiry, etc. (p. 120 and so on), whither I refer the reader that wants more satisfaction. Plea II. For that it has the best balance belongin g to it of any church-government in the worl d. Othe r g overnments have generally too high a top, and a re very lopsided too ; n ay the best we can meet w ith without vanity or envy, it may be said, that not only seemingly like (J-rantham steeple, but really it stands a wry, and being so overloaded on nature's corr upt side, with learning, power, and high trust, it plainly h angs over several degrees from a true perpendicular, towards Babylon. And if it falls it buries you ; and then you must remember it has monopolized all power, so that you have none left to stir under your load, or creep out with. But here is a government so exa ctly poised, that it keeps its motions regular like the stupendous spheres, unless some Phaeton chance to mount the chariot box, and becomes the driver. I have sufficiently, I think, evinced the power in the brotherhood; and though every church is a body consisting of very numerous parts and a noble ministry, yet the balance of power is very exactly and with great advantage preserved ; both betwfeen the members of the body in general, and between them- se lves, and their public ministry in speci al. " 1. Between the members of the bo dy. For besides, the wisdom, love, and other ennobling principles, in some measure actuating every member. The vener- able major vote, which guides and governs the august OP THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 81 states of parliaments; nay all assemblies, superior and inferior, that have any equality of power dis- persed amongst the members, ordinarily keeps the whole body, in all points of administration, in an exact equipoise. 2. And as for the state of the ministry, there is no g rain of allowance wanted on their si de, to make th eir office power, if not an even balance arithmeti- cally upon an accurate and di stressing trial ; yet in the series of a laudable ministration, it is an equivalent of power ; at least according to the terms of our con- stitution. (Platf. c. 10, sect. 11.) But let the case be stated as accurately as may be, and let every fair principle which grants the power to be originally in the people, be yielded ; and also establish a proper judicature in the brotherhood ; yet it is apparent in all examples, that the ministry of this constitution are held, if not in proper speaking, yet in conscience and religious courtesy, as though all power were in- vested in them ; or at least to such a degree that there is no appearance of what may render the gov- ernment grievous to them, if they are but contented to be the masters of an assembly of free men, and not of slaves. Amongst abundance of illustra tions I will mention two. (1) The great veneration in man's mind towar ds thos e who are sensibly clothed with auth ority. If I am a father where is my honor, if a master where is my fear, Matt. 1 : 6. The prophet reasons from the law of nature ; there being such a property planted in the soul by its Maker to revere superiors, and es- pecially men in public trust. And also the authority shining in them, being such bright rays both of the 6 82 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT divine majesty and benignity, there being such a sen- sible good and benefit accruing thereby, to the rest of mankind, hence springs a universal disposition to obedience and submission, this is obvious through the whole civil ministry of the world ; there is no need to make every judge in commission, or chief magistrate, a sovereign prince to gain homage to him. No, but as soon as a man appears vested with au- thority, there is that in the soul of another which teaches reverence and obedience to him in his trust, both from the suggestions of fear and sense of inter- est. So that a learned, painful, and pious ministry intrusted with the souls and happiness of men ; and taking indefatigable care to secure eternal life for them, has a most charming and endearing aspect and influence upon all the rational powers. Insomuch that nature itself has a high value for such subjects of trust. And as for grace, it is ready to be lavish of its victims. . . . Ye . . . received me as an angel of God even as Christ Jesus. ... If it had been possible ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. Gal. 4 : 14, 15. If any man doubts of the validity of this plea, let him but view what conquests have been made by the abuse of these principles, and you will find the ministry of the Christian world have far exceeded Cassar in subdu- ing mankind; for from an honest obedience they have brought them to lie down, and be trampled on by their spiritual owners. That there is no danger on the people's side when things are well stated, if there be but a wise and due management on the other. And still it is more evident, (2) From the extent of commission, with the OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHDRCHES. 83 many ennobling prerogatives fixed in their trust. Though they are the ministry, and but the ministry of a democracy, their commission is so large, and high prerogatives so numerous, they carry so great an appearance, as though in reality they were the sub- jects of all power. And I think it is so from the na- ture and modes of all regular government; for when a government has enacted their laws and precepts, and settled their ministry, they leave the sway of things to them ; that it is as though they had resigned all the power to the ministry. So it is peculiarly in the affairs of gospel churches. That let men at their leisure view this illustration by the Scripture, our platform, and by the laws and customs of nations, and they will find it a truth. That certainly a pain- ful ministry may easily be reconciled to our consti- tution, unless they are raised to that temper of mind as he was, who had this for his motto, Aut Cwsar aut nihil, — a Caesar or nothing. Plea III. From the nea r affinity our constitution h o lds with the civirgovernments of sam e nf the mpst flourishing c ommon^Ye.aI.tbs,ijtth£...WQ rld. It is certain every species of government, simple and mixed, hav e their v arious excellences and de fects ; much may be said in honor of each, and also every constitution may have something wanting; at least it may seem so, under a more critical survey of its nature, princi- ples, ill-conveniences, corrupt ministry, misfortunes, etc. And many times a government falls under scandal from distemper of mind, from false ends and corrupt interests, which sway and overrule men's thoughts relating to government more than from the constitution itself. But, however, to evade all circu- 84 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT lar discourses, we may very fairly infer, where we find nations flourishing, and their liberty and property with the rest of the great immunities of man's nature nourished, secured, and best guarded from tyranny, we may venture to pronounce this people to be the subjects of a noble government, and there be many such on earth whose constitution will serve to justify ours. I shall instance in three, and no m ore. 1. Tfie Venetian commonw ealth; though some are pleased to call the government of this free state an aristocracy, but it seems more properly a limited democracy, for that the seat of sovereign power is their ancient commons, called their families, enrolled in the golden book ; these make up the grand council of the nations, settle the public ministry, and enact laws, etc. This people have by this mode of govern- ment raised themselves into so august and flourishing a capacity, that from a very obscure original they are grown to that degree as to bridle and curb the pride and haughtiness of Turk and Pope. This example must needs be no small honor to our constitution. But, 2. The Belgic provi nces are without interruption allowed to be the subjects of a formed democracy, they in some ages past being insulted and unmerci- fully trampled upon by that august tyrant, the Span- ish monarch; they, being his subjects, broke loose from him and set up for themselves. They assumed to themselves their original power, and when they had got it into their hands, had the wit and kept it, and have improved it in the form of a democracy to this day, and God has blessed them; that from the poor states of Holland, they are now grown to wear OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 85 the splendid title of " their high mightinesses," and are a match for most monarchs on earth. Says Gor- don of their government : " The seven provinces of Holland, being under a democratical government, are, as it were, several commonwealths, each province being a distinct state ; yea, and every city having an independent power within itself to judge of all causes, whether civil or criminal, and to inflict even capital punishment ; but all joining together, make one republic, the most considerable in the world." Query. Whether su ch examples of popular gove rn- ments_.n£iw extant on. ea rth, and yieldihg such va st a dvantages to the subjects, and being so regular an d p racticable, — I say, whether they may not jus tly det er all men from reproaching our constitution wi th the scandalous title of anarc hy, unless they will allow us to prepare a chronicle for them, and therein pub- lish to the world their profound ignorance of the several species of government, and the distinct way of placing and exercising various powers in them. 3. The English. This nation is reputed to be the s ubjects of the finest and most incomparable gove rn- ment in the world. And this original happy form jo f g overnment is (says one) truly and properly calledl'aJ i Englishman's liberty; a privilege to be freed in per- son and estate from arbitrary violence -and oppre s- sion, and a gr eater inheritance than we derive from our pa rents . And this birthright of Englishmen shines most conspicuously in two things. (1) I n parliame nts , wherein the subject has, by h is representatives, a share in legislative p ower, and so makes his own laws, and disposes of his own money. 86 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT (2) In juries, whereby he has a share in the exe cu- tiv e part of l a w, so that no causes are tried, nor an y m an adjudged to lose his life, member, or estate, b ut u pon the verdict of his peers, his equals or neia;hbo rs, a nd of his own condi tion. These ^wo errand pillar s o f. English libe rty_aj:e the luncfame ntal, vital privi- leges whereby we have been, and are still preserved more free and happy than any other people in the world, and we trust shall ever continue so ; for who- soever shall design to impair, pervert, undermine either of these, do strike at the very constitution of our government, and ought to be prosecuted and punished with the utmost zeal and vigor; for to poison all the springs and rivers in the kingdom could not be a greater mischief; for this would only affect the present age, but the other would ruin and enslave all our posterity. I shall improve this exam- ple by three queries. Query 1. A h! What is the matter with En glish- men — men of such courage to be surprised w ith s uch fear, as though they were like to be taken cap- tive, and t urned into slaves in their own h ome? Why, in good truth, there may be a reason for it, therefore it becomes them to be very careful under this head ; for if they make themselves slaves in their own country, or let others do it for them, when they can prevent it, they both deny God who made and redeemed them, and plainly violate the law of nature. Q uery 2. Who is it Englishmen are th us afr aid of ?_ Who do they thus reflect up on in their frights and fear s ? It is neither France nor the great Turk which dreads them ; therefore it must needs be some r OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 87 body or another nearer home that threatens their liberty. And may not New England's gospel liber- ties deserve so much fear and caution, although it should so happen that somebody should be reflected upon by their cautiousness ? Query 3. If the settling such immunities as th e pri vilege of parliaments and juries in the hand s of the p eople be such effectual barriers to preserve a nation from tyranny and slavery, then whether, whe n g ospel churches have th e means in their own power, it be not their wisdom to keep up the like barrier, or so mething equivalent thereto, that the y may preserve th emselves safe from the arbitrary measures of t heir o wn ministr y ? — or thus, whether for Englishmen, when their liberties in church or state are fast locked up for them and their posterity by law and regular settlements, it be not their best way to beware how they repeal those laws, or weaken those settlements ? But at present I shall leave it to other men to run the parallel between our constitution, and the several governments I have mentioned, and infer what more they shall think proper, only leaving to myself the liberty to conclude, that the severa l examples of .civil states which I have named, do serveabundantly to ju^tifVthe noble nature of our constitution in church order: for that the several famous and august nations which I have mentioned, in all their glory at home and success in arms and trade abroad, their several governments which have brought them to all this are either a perfect democracy, or very much mixed and blended with it. Th en why should we in New England be any more ashamed, or less careful of our church govern- 88 VINDICATION OP THE GOVERNMENT ment, which keeps us from tyranny and slavery in tire cuncerns of our consciences, than those nati ons are of their civil governm ent, whereby they are pre- served from the like damnable circumstances in the concerns of their outward life, and natural rights and fortunes ? OP THE NEW ENGLAND CHimCHES. 89 DEMONSTRATION V. From the d ignity which the provid ence of God has put -upon the constitution, both in the first ages of the Christian churches and in the last century. I. In the fi rst ages of the Chris tian churches, God ha s put many marks of distinguishing favor up on thi s constitution, both in the smiles and frowns of h is pro viden ce. 1. In the smiles of Providence upon the churches, whilst they continued complete in their constitution. I shall offer but three particulars to justify this obser- vation. (1) In the great and admirable success of the Gos- pel in the conv ersion of so man y nations. (2) In their singular puri ty and virtuous deport- ment in the midst of a corrupt world. That (as Mr. C otton obse rves) was a general eulogy belonging to their members, and ascribed to them by the wiser sort of heathen, namely. Bonus vir, tantum Christianus — he is a good man only who is a Christian. (3) They were eminently supported and carr ied on by the grace and providence of God through all th eir d ireful sufferings ; the more they were wasted and destroyed, the more they grew and increased, as Is rael in E gypt. Indeed whilst they remained firm to their constitution, they were not only like an army 90 VINDICATIOIT OF THE GOVERNMENT in banners, but in reality the greatest conquerors that ever appeared on earth. They merely baffled the bravery of the old Roman spirit, and were quite too hard for those who had vanquished the world. I have seen, says Eusebius, the executioner (tired with tor- menting them) lie down panting and breathing, etc. But I never saw the martyrs weary of sufferings, nor heai'd them desire a truce : nay, were rather ambi- tious of the longest and most terrible sufferings, that they might be martyrs in every member. Thus the churches endured hardness as good soldiers of Christ through ten bloody persecutions, and at last retreated by divine providence under the umbrage of the great Constantine ; and there the churches of God made the finest show that ever was seen on earth — next to Christ in his transfiguration. Till this time the churches remained the subjects of their democratical government in some good measure, though there were some symptoms of an alteration in the last century ; but indeed after the churches were freed from the rage of heathen persecutors, there quickly followed the perfect subversion of their order. So we com e, 2. To consider the frown s of Providence that pur- s ued the Christian world after the subversion of th eir primitive consti tution. Sufficient observations have been made under the foregoing demonstrations, set- ting forth the change of government which was made in the churches ; and, in short, it was really and prop- erly the altering the ministry of a democracy into an aristocracy ; for, to speak plainly, the public offi- cers, to gratify their ambition, took all the power into their own hands, and settled all affairs and concerns OP THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 91 according to their own minds, without control. But let us eye the providence of God, and we may- observe that God did soon stain the pride and glory of these men, especially in two eminent instances of his displeasure, which I shall only mention. Instance 1. In the fatal Arian heresy, that sprea d its elf like some mortal contagion throug h the Chris- tian world) that it was said the whole world w as become an Aria n. A rius was the author of this d amnable doctrine, name ly, that our Saviour Ch rist was neither God nor eternal, but a creature ; and that h e'assumed only the body, not the soul of man, etc . This damnable heresy soon spread itself far and wide ; the author was in the height of his wicked- ness, and fell a victim to divine vengeance in the latter part of Constantine's reign ; but his heresy continued and prevailed, and especially amongst the clergy. But this is very awful to observe, that when these men by their wit and cunning had once cozened and cheated the fraternity of their ancient rights and prerogatives, God left the devil to cheat and deceive them, as wise and learned as they were, of their true religion and souls together. What good did all their legerdemain do them now? Had not they better have kept holy and humble pastors, confined to their parochial diocesses, and known and loved and preached Christ, the eternal son of God, and him crucified, rather than stretched their boundary like sovereign princes, and so left to perish under such a dreadful dispensation as the fruit of their ambition and infidelity ? To me (considering the commencement, the deadly nature, the rage, the universal prevalence and-con- 92 VINDICATION OF THE GOVEENMBNT tinuance of this damnable heresy) it seems as though God had looked down from heaven and viewed the sacrilegious robbery committed upon the churches with detestation; and therefore summoned a con- gress of the several states of the other world. 1 Kings, 22 : 10, — I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and issuing out proclamation. ... Be it known, that never has a nobler cause been so baffled and sacrilegiously betrayed by the dignified trustees of it as this. I have been down amongst my golden candlesticks, my famous churches; I find the fraternity drowsy and remiss, setting too low a value on their inestima- ble rights ; and those who should rouse them from their security and incogitancy, rather esteem it a lucky omen ; and, therefore, to satiate their own ambi- tion (instead of advising and directing the churches in the study of their constitution, and so plead their cause for them), they consult how to defraud them, they wrest the Scripture, darken all places which set- tle their titles, and, to end all disputes, threaten them Diotrephes like (3 John. 10), with the secular power that is now on their side. That they have at last absolutely supplanted them, stripped and taken away the rights belonging to the churches, and purchased at so dear a rate. That as though the Almighty should say. My patience is out ! and my justice has prepared a cup of confusion for them ; who, of all this convocation, will go and hand it to them ? And there came forth several legions with an arch-devil at the head of them, and stood before the Lord and said. We will go and persuade them ; and God said. You shall persuade them and prevail also ; therefore go forth and do so, 1 Kings, 22 : 22. As though God OE THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 93 should say, I have now in displeasure abandoned them to ruin ; they who should have had a zealous regard to my settlements, and, as one chief end of their ministry, should have sought the happiness of the people, and not their own ease, vainglory, pride, and luxury; now leave them exposed to obliterate the essentials of their faith, and so fall a sacrifice to divine fury. Go, you malignant powers, do your worst ; the hedges are now down. Instance 2. The univers al apostasy that has f ol- io wed"The subversion of the old constitut ion. We ma y in some degree d ate God's departure from his chu rches when they began to subvert the order o f th em, and so gradua lly wit hdrew, till he — at last le ft them to perish by whole ages together. It must not, indeed, be thought or said, but that God had a rem- nant through many ages, who continued orthodox in faith, both in the ministry and brotherhood. But yet it is very obvious that Christianity gradatim declined till a ll was swallowed up in a universal and dire ful apostasy, n ever sufficiently to be deplored, neith er fully e xpressed unless we tra nscribe the volumes th at contain it. I do account, indeed, that the destruction of the churches, in moral speaking, may be attributed immediately and nextly to other causes, as ignorance, pride, hypocrisy, etc., but remotely to the dissolution of the order of them. For that the constitution fore- named was adjusted by divine wisdom for preventing and remedying such maladies as proved the ruin of the churches ; that when the remedy was quite taken away, bad humors predominate, and symp- toms of a deadly aspect appear, and so death inevi- tably follows. 3b5 94 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT II. Igthe last. century God has been very admir a- bl e in "the works of providence, and has tber.eiaJiiffh ly dj o'nified our coastitnt ion. And we want no other evidence under this head than the^ recognition__Qf ."^jJ^hat God has done for these famous Enghsh colo - nies innVoTtTi^ America, who have all along d istin^ g uished themselves from all the world, by theif^ sing ular regard both to the faith and practice of they fr ue""relig ion. Now let any other constitution on earth but parallel ours, in the eminent shines of prov- idence and ill religious effects, and we will resign the whole cause. But whilst, then, we will go on and rejoice in the grace of God, that we in these coun- tries are, by his good providence over us, the subjects of the most ancient, rational, and noble,.£Qnstitution in church order thai, was, will be, or can bCj whilsJi the laws of nature and grace remain unrepealed. For that i t is a constitution •'^^liif^h infinite W''''^"''" hath authorized apd,Joujaded -in the law o f nature, and his omniscient providence has eminently honored and digniHe3'l3oTh"by the slmles and-frow'ns Q.f,liis countenance, through all the ages of the Christian worlcTTmhis very morning. And though some of the reverend churches within this grand consociation (who settled upon the same platform with us), have with too great a precipitation made a defection from the constitution, yet this is our comfort, that their alteration is not so firm as the laws of the Medes and Persians; for that those who turned them off, ^may by the same power bring them on to their old basis again. And let Christ pity and help them, for certainly their present state is portentous, from what may be observed from the proceedings of providence through the whole Christian era unto this day. OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 95 THE CONCLUSION. I shall now conclude my whole essay by annex ing the joint testimony of those eminent men, fathers in these churches, now in ^loiT) namely, the Rever end Mr. John Hi gginson and the Re verend Mr. William » ■■ _ '-' I I I I .11.. ■ II 1. 1 — I ■ —■ I ,1. . , I. »i Hubbard. And t he ra+her because Mr. Hubbard did some time before his death, desire to have their tes- timony reprinted, and live with some other book which it might properly accompany. I am well sat- isfied the foregoing subject is the most proper com- panion their testimony could have lighted on, in its travels through this world ; I therefore make bold to invite the said testimony to set out again with fresh courage, and improve its excellent language, together with former acceptance it found with the churches, to ingratiate and bespeak favor for this small treatise, its new ally and fellow traveller. And let the holy churches (for whom these now appear in joint testimony to confirm their divine pedigree) flourish in their strength, beauty and order, after this triumvirate shall sink under t he tyranny of moths and human forgetfuln ess, and lie down in t he house " ol oblivion, whereT hope the"e"neiaifia--Qf t he constitution will be gott en down bef nrp ,jjhpm^ p|nd there fast buried in th eir own hones-SJidrd ^aeii. but lestany should think it absurd, that I here produce such venerable authority in way of epilogue, which should rather in honor have been placed in the front of this attempt. To this I reply, that in honor and prudence I choose here to place these worthies. For you must note, I am now retreating out of the field of battle, and I hope upon honorable terms too ; 96 VINDICATION OP THE GOVERNMENT and then the rear is the highest place in dignity ; so that though they are bringers-up, it is no diminution to them. And not only so, but out of prudent con- duet ; for though I presume the enemy is fairly van- quished, yet some forlorn party may rally, and to gratify their desperate fortune may disturb us, but I hope these valiant and wise commanders thus posted will secure our rear, beat back the enemy, and bring all off with triumph. '^ % ,^u ^ OE THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 97 A TESTIMONY TO THE OEDEK OJ THE GOSPEL, IN THE CHimCHES OF NEWENQLAND. LEFT IN THE HANDS OF THE CHURCHES, BY THE TWO MOST AGED MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL YET SURVIVINa IN THE COUNTRY. 1. Above seventy years have passed away, since one of US, and above sixty, since the other of us came into New England, and having obtained help from God, we continue to this day. We are, therefore, capable to make some compari- son between the condition of the churches, when they were first erected in this country, and the con- dition into which they are now fallen, and more fall- ing every day. But we wish that in making this comparison, we had not cause to take the place, and the part of those old men, that saw the young men shouting aloud for joy at the new temple, Ezra 3 : 12. Ancient men that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice. 2. W e are under a daily expectation of our call to a ppear "Before our Lord Jesus Ch rist ; and we have reason to be above all things concerned, that we may give up our account with joy unto him. That we may be the better able to do so, we judge it neces- sary for us to leave in the hands of the churches a brief testimony to the cause of God and his people in this land. And this the rather, because we are 7 98 VINDICATION OE THE GOVERNMENT sensible that there is risen and rising among us, a number who not only forsake the right ways of the Lord, wherein these holy churches have walked, but also labor to carry away as many others with them as they can. We are also informed that many younger men of great worth, and hearty friends unto the church- state of the country, scarce know what interpretation to put upon it ; but find it a sensible disadvantage unto them, that the elder men are so silent and remiss upon the manifest occasions that call aloud for us to open our mouth in the cause of churches that we should be loth to see led unto destruction. 8. We that saw the p ersons, who from four fam ous c olonies assembled in the synod, that agreed on our Platform of Church Discipline, cannot forget their ex- cell ent chara cter. They were men of great renown in the nation, from whence the Laudian persecution exiled them ; their learning, their holiness, their grav- ity, struck all men that knew them with admiration. \ They were Timothies in their ho uses, Chrysostoms in their pulpits, Augustines in their disputations. The prayers, the studies, the humble inquiries with which they sought after the mind of God, were as likely to prosper as any men's upon earth. And the sufferings wherein they were confessors for the name and the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ, add unto the arguments which would persuade us that our gra- cious Lord would reward and honor them with com- municating much of his truth unto them. The famous Brightman had foretold, Clariorem lucem adhuc solitudo dabit, etc. God would yet reveal more of the true church-state unto some of his faith- OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 99 t ful servants, whom he would send into a wilderness, that he might there have communion with them. And it was eminently accomplished in what was done for and by the men of God, that first erected churches for him in this American wilderness. We do, therefore, in the first place, earnestly tes- tify, that if any who are given to change, do rise up to unhinge the well-established churches in this land, it willbe the duty and interest of the churches to examine whether the men of this trespass are more prayerful, more watchful, more zealous, more patient, more heavenly, more universally conscien- tious, and harder students and better scholars, and more willing to be informed and advised than those great and good men, who left unto the churches what they now enjoy. If they be not so it will be wisdom for the children to forbear pulling down with their own hands, the houses of God, which were built by their wiser fathers, until they have better satisfaction. It is not yet forgot by some surviving-ear-witness- es of it, that when the synod had finished the Plat- form of Church Discipline, they did with an extra- ordinary elevation of soul and voice, then sing together the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, in the fifteenth chapter of the Revelation ; God forbid, that in the loss of that holy discipline, there should be hereafter occasion to sing about breaking down the carved work of the houses of God, with axes and hammers, or take up the eightieth Psalm for our lamentations. 4. It was a joy unto us to see and read a book wh icinhe reverend president of our college latel y pu blished, under the title of " T he nrdpr nf the gospel, 100 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT professed and practised by the churches of Christ in New England." A book most highly needful and useful and season able, a most elabora te and well- composed work, and well suited unto those two worthy designs ; fi rst, the ma intaining the congrega- tional ch urch-discipline ; and secondly, the maiii tain- ing the sweet spirit of charity and communion to- wards ref orming Presbyterians, who are our un ited brethren. But we must here withal testify, that in that worthy book there is nothing obtruded upon the churches, but what they who were here, capable of observing what was done sixty years ago, do know to have been professed and practised in the churches of New England (except in one or two) ; then, and ever since, until of late, some who were not then born, have suggested otherwise. Yea, it is well known, that the churches then publicly maintained those principles in several judicious discourses, which were never confuted by any men whatever, unto this present time. And we do, therefore, most heartily commend that book of the order of the gospel, unto the perusal and acceptance of the churches of the Lord. 5. It was one of the songs (as the Jewish masters tell us) in the feast of tabernacles. Blessed be our youth which have not made our old men ashamed. But alas! we that are old men must confes s our- s elves ashamed, when we see af ter what man ner some of our youths have expre s sed and beh aved t hemselves, and with what scoff s they have assaulted the ord er_of_jthe gospel, in some things lately pub- lished and scattered about the country ; which have been so far from answering the arguments brought OE THE NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES. 101 for our church order, that they have been by the won- derful providence of Christ, made useful to establish the minds of serious Christians, in those very points which they see so weakly and so rudely opposed. We have taught our children in the catechism, called Milk for Babes, that there is to be a covenant of God in the churches, wherein they give up them- selves, first unto the Lord to be his people, and then to the elders and brethren of the churches to set for- ward the worship of God, and mutual edification. And it cannot but be grievous unto us, as well as unto all serious Christians, for my children of New England, scornfully to vomit up their milk with scoffs upon that and other sacred actions in our churches, too horrible to be repeated. If they take away from us one of the songs among the Jews, they would however leave us room for one of the sighs uttered by a rabbi among them ; the worst fruit which we eat in our youth, excelled the best which we now eat in our old age, for in our days the world is changed. 6. Concerning all sinful attempts to overturn th e or der of the gospel, hitherto upheld in the church es of New England, and to spoil the glorious work o f God, which we have seen him doing, with a serie s of remar kable providences, in erecting such Cong re- gation al churches in these ends of the ea rth ; we would now, therefore, bear our testimony, that they are doubtless displeasing to our Lord Jesus Christ, who walks in the midst of these golden candle- sticks, and th ey will prove bittg iagss in the latter end. And this we declare with the more concern upon 102 VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT our minds, because of an observation so plain, that he that runs may read it. It is too observable that the power of godliness is exceedingly decaying and expiring in the country, and one great point in the decay of the power of godliness, is men's growing weary of the congrega- tional church discipline, which is evidently calculated to maintain it. If that church discipline were more thoroughly and vigorously kept alive, even by those that make profession of it, it might be hoped, that the Lord would sanctify it for the revival of all godliness in the land. But if this church discipline come to be given up, we think it our duty to leave this warning with the churches, that probably the apostasy will not stop there ; for the same spirit that will dispose the next generation to change their way in one point, will dis- pose them to more, and more changes (even in doc- trine and worship as well as in manners) until it may be feared the candlestick will quickly be removed out of its place. 7. " We do therefore humbly prop ose it, unto all the ch urches as a great e xpediei^t, for the preservation of^ our church^state, that more praye r (even in whole d ays of prayer set apart for that end) with othe r ap- p ointed means, may be used in the churches to ob- ta in from the Lord, the outpourings of the spi rit of g race on the rising gene ration. If so rich a blessing were obtained (and our heavenly Father will give his Holy Spirit unto them that ask it), and if the ris- ing generation might be a praying, pious, devout and regenerate generation, there will not be such danger OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHUKCHES. 103 as now there is, of their easily giving away the pre- cious legacy which their fathers (now beholding the face of the Lord Jesus Christ in glory), left unto them, or of their doting upon innovations fatal to the order of the gospel among us. 8. Now as aged Joseph said, I die, and God will surely visit you ; even so, we the unworthy servants of the Lord, whose age bids us every day to look for death, and our call to that world, where to be is by far the best of all, do conclude with our prayers unto the Lord for these holy churches, that he would surely visit them, and grant much of his gracious presence and spirit in the midst of them ; and raise up from time to time, those who may be happy in- struments of bringing down the hearts of the parents unto the children. The Lord bless these his churches, and keep them steadfast, both in the faith and in the order of the gospel, and be with them, as he was with their fathers, and never leave them nor forsake them. John Hig&inson, William Hubbard. THE CHURCHES' QUARREL ESPOUSED: A REPLY m SATIRE, TO CERTAIN PEOPOSAIS MADE, IS AKSWEE TO THIS QUESTION, WHAT ETIBTHER STEPS AKB TO BE TAKEN, THAT THE COUNCIIiS MAT HAVE DUE CONSTITUTION AND EEFICACY IN SUP- POETING, PEESERTING, AND WELL-ORDERINa THE INTEREST OS THE CHURCHES IN THE COUNTRY? Bt JOHN WISE, PASTOK TO A CHURCH IN IPSWICH. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. — Tit. 1 ; 33. ABJICIENDUS PUDOB, QUOTIEB UEGET NECBSSITAS. Glocestee, Marcli 25, 1715. Keveeend Sir, — We have had the favor and satisfaction of reading, and accord- ing to our measure considering the transcendent logic, as well as grammar and rhetoric, of your reply to the proposals ; by which our eyes are opened to see much more than ever before we saw, of the value and glory of our invaded privileges, and are of opinion, that if your consent may be obtained to a new edition, it may be of wonderful service to our churches, if God shall please to go forth with it. However, it will be a testimony that all our watchmen were not asleep, nor the camp of Christ sur- prised and taken, before they had warning. We are, reverend Sir, Full of dutiful respect and gratitude, Your sons and servants, Samitel Moodey, John White. QUESTION AND PROPOSALS. Question. What farther steps are to be taken, that the councils may have due constitution and efficacy in supporting, preserving, and well ordering the inter- est of the churches in the country? First Part. It was proposed, Tl. That the ministers of the country form them- selves into associa,fIons^ that rnay~n5Bet--at~proper times to-tJoTt^ersuch^ things as may properly lie bef&re them, relating to their own faithfulness to- wards each_other and the comrnon interest of the churches j.^andLthat each of those associations have a moderator for a certain time, who shall continue till another be chosen, who may call them together upon emergencies. In these associations, 2. That questions and cases_of importance, either provided by themselves^jor by others, presented unto thein, should be upon due deliberation answered. ; 3. ' That advice be takeri by the associated pastors from time to time, before they proceed to any action in their particular churchjea. which would be likely to produce any embroilments. ^ That the associated pas- tors do carefully and lovingly treat each other with that watchfulness which may be of universal advan- 108 THE churches' QUARREL ESPOUSED.. tage; and that if any minister be accused to the association whereto Ee belongs of scandal, or heresy, the matter shall be there examined, and if the asso- ciated ministers find just accusation for it, they shall direct to the calling of the council, bywhom such an offender is to be proceeded against. . i 4. That the candidates of th©-rainistry undergo a due trial, by some one or other of Jhe associations, concerning their qualifiGations for the evangelical ministry; and that no- par-tieular-pastor or congrega- tion employ any one in occasional preaching who has not been recommended by' a testimonial under the hands of some associatiorT"" " . 5. That they shouLd-toget-feer be consulted-by_be- reaved churches, to recommend to them such persons as may be fit to be employed amongst them for present "supply, from whom they may in d-ae time proceed to choose a pastor. 6. That hereunto may be referred the direction of proceeding in any of their particular chHrches, about the convening of councils that shall be thought neces- sary for the welfare of the churches. 7. That the several associations in the-<;ountry maintain a due correspondence with , one another, that so the state of religion may be the better known and secured in all the churches, and particularly it is thought necessary to the well-being of these churches, that all the associations of the country meet together by their respective delegates once in a year. 8. And finally. That ministers ' disposed .to-asspci- ate endeavor, in the most efficacious manner they can, to prevail with such ministers^ as unreasonably QUESTION AND PROPOSALS. 109 neglect such, meetings, .with their brethren in their proper associations, that they would not expose them- selves to the inconveniences that such neglects can- not but be attended withal. Second Part. It was proposed, 1. That these associated pastors, with a proper number of delegates from their several churches, be formedan±Q-%-stai=hdifl:g:W'-stafed--e^^ which shall consult, advise, and determine all affairs that shall be proper matter for the consideration of an ecclesiasti- cal council within their respective limits, except the cases are such as the associated pastors judge more convenient to fall under the cognizance of some other council. 2. That to this end these associated pastors, with their respective churches, shall consociate and com- bine according to what has been by the synods of these clmrchesTeljoih'mehded, that tFey act as conso- ciated churches in all holy watchfulness and helpful- ness towards £ach other; and that each church choose and depute one or more to attend their pastor, as members of the council in their stated sessions, or occasionally, as emergencies shall call for. 3. That these messengers from the several conso- ciated churches shall be chosen once "aT year at the least. ' 4. It is propounded, as that which from our begin- ning has been recommended, that the churches thus consociated for these purposes have a stated time to meet fh their council, andHonce^in a year seems little enough, that they may inquire into the condition of the "churches, and advise such things as may be for 110 THE churches' QTJAKKEL ESPOUSED. the advantage of our holy religion. But the more particular time is best left to the determination of each respective association. 5. That the associations shall direct when there is occasion for this council to convene, on any emer- gency, and shall direct whether the whole or only a certain number of these consociated pastors and churches shall convene on such occasions. 6. It appears agreeable to the present condition of our churches, and frorh our beginnings acknowledged, that no act of the councils is to be reckoned as con- cluded and decisive, for which there has not been the concurrence of the major part of the pastors therein concerned. ,J7. The determinations of the councils thus provided, for the necessities of the churches are to be looked upon as final and decisive, except aggrieved churches and pastors have weighty reasons to the contrary, in which cases there should be provision for a further hearing'; and it seems proper that the council con-r vened on this occasion should consist of such pastors as- may be more for number than the former, and they should be such, as shall be directed to, and convened for this purpose by the ministers of an association, near to that whereto those of the former council belonged, unto which the aggrieved should accord- ingly apply themselves, and in this way expect a final issue ? ii 8. If a particular church will not be reclaimed by council from such gross disorders as plainly hurt the common interest of Christianity, and are not mere tolerable differences in opinion, but are plain sins against the command and kingdom of our Lord Jesus QUESTION AND PROPOSALS. Ill Christ, the council is to declare that church no longer fit_for conimunioji with the churches of the faithful; and the churches represented in the council are to approve, confirm, and ratify the sentence, and with- draw from the communion of the church that would not be healed. Nevertheless, if any members of the disorderly church do not justify their disorders, but suitably testify against them, these are still to be received to the wonted communion by the churches ; and if, after due waiting, the church be not recovered, they may (upon advice) be actually taken in as mem- bers of some other church in the vicinity. These proposals were assented to by the delegates of the association, met according to former agree- ment, at B— ; , September 13th, 1705.. To be commended to the several associated ministers in the several parts of the country, to be duly considered, that so what may be judged for the service of our great Lord, and his holy churches, may be further proceeded in. THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY. TO THE FRATERNITY OF THE CHURCHES IN THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES. TRULY HONORABLE AND BELOVED IN CHRIST : — It is not from any disrespect, or for want of hon or to the reve rend eldership and past ors of your several communities, that I apply myself more immediately and thus abruptly to yourselves in this dedication. But for that it seems most agreeable with my present province. The privileges of the fratern ity being so pec uliarly the theme and subject of my pa ins, I es- teem it very proper to introduce my following essays, with a few words of advice more directly to you r- selves, if you may be thence moved and encouraged to assist for support of Christ's and your own in- terests. I desire to be without offe nce to any, and pray that all such worthy persons, wise and faithful pastors in these churches (who are as much obliged by their office to stand by and defend the established interest and rights of them as I am, and far more capable) will in terpret my whole actio n in the most favorable sense. And though I have not with the noble Cortius leaped into a chasm made in the forum, yet I have ventured to step into the gap to keep the breach, till better hands come up for the EPISTLE DEDICATORY. 113 service of my country, and in defence of their sacred liberties ; so that I hope many of you will come in with a new supply and recruit of courage and argu- ment, when and where mine fails. And for the present I presume none of you will be offended, though I do thus immediately address the churches over which you preside, with the following principles of their interest and duty wrapped up in each other. Then, h^noraUe^brgthen ! 1st. In gene ral my adv ice is to you, thatjn good order and with all gracefu lness which becomes wise' me n, you will with zeal, courage, _and f^i^hfuJjjjp.ss, stan d in the defence of, and maintain your church l iberties God certainly obliges you to do it, with all the discretion and bravery of spirit which becomes free men, in withstanding vassalage or a servile state, Gal. 5 : 1, 13. Stand fast, therefore, in the_liberties wherew ith Christ has made us free^_ndbenot_entan- gled a^a in with th e yoke of bondage. The plea is as forcible against a Christian as a Jewish thraldom. Fo r, brethr en, ye have been ca. lled unto libert y. I must acknowledge I have not particular prejudice against any of the governments of Christian Protest- ant churches in the world, so as to defraud or dispos- sess any of them of heaven, or monopolize so great a royalty to our own ; but Yet JL am of this opini on. consideringJheJiia±Jitle_of.thejcrown^ thejiuxches, the people, the capacity of soil and_cliraate_together, that the constitution and way; of New_England churches cannot be mended by exchange. Briefly, to instance in the civil part, or interest of the crown, I think it very easy to evince, by the pre- cepts both of religion and policy, that the parliament 114 THE churches' QUAEEEL ESPOUSED. (that wise and august council of the nation) could ,not have invented an establishment in church order, more for the service of the imperial crown of the British empire than our present constitution, _espec- i3U^-in_such a country and climate a^ this is. I shall not now any wise enter upon the question, but only give just a short hint as to the revenue. Our present constitu tion does indeed, some w'hat more than sip, it takes an honest healthful draught at nature's foun tains, but leaves the flowing streams for empire to sit at, till filled with satiety. The ecclesiastics in some kingdoms in Europe are ready not only to chide with crowned heads, but to take them by the throat and wring out of their hands, if not almost a moiety, yet a vast share of the golden fleeces that should supply the public treasuries, and clothe the nakedness of the kingdoms, and the people have no more wit but to justify and defend them in their claims and oppressions, and that till they them- selves (in great numbers) are as thin and ragged as penury itself; for by their rules of adjustment, when the church hath gotten an unconscionable share, then the crown or subject must be almost starved ; for there is not left a sufficient and plentiful supply for both. But now our New England constitution is very fair-mannered, for when it sits down to the stalled ox (made ready) it carves temperately, and (without much defacing) leaves the whole to the empire to make its armies and navies, with the rest of its need- ful and unwearied servants welcome, that in loyalty to your prince and for the support of the royal reve- nue, you may justly preserve your freedoms. EPISTLE DEDICATORY. 115 Let jaa_also-ee»sid€»-the_bjes,t_good of the whole people. It is most certain* trae_grace is the one thing need- ful, and the main concern for the improvement of the powers both of prince, noble, and peasant. And though grace be of that nature that it will grow (after a fashion and in some sort of soil) almost un- der any government ; yet it is most agreeable w ith laws of piety and wis dom (for the good of all in ge n- eral), to choose and sec ure that constitution an d form ot govern ment that is most agreeab le, and which most naturally breeds it, and in greatest plenty. By the suffrage of our nation, that government which sensibly clogs tyranny, and preserves the sub- ject free from slavery, under the ambition of men of great fortune and trust, is the only governme nt in th e state to advan ce men's te mporal h appiness ; and we in this country honor the resolve in civil affairs, and also afErm (upon g reat 'experien cel.tbat snch a' con stitution in c hurch government isjadso) the only way to advance grace and man's eternal happiness ; and we are the more ratified in our opinion, for that the experiment has on the other hand been tried with a witness, in almost all kingdoms of the Christian world, and that first, by disseizing (dispossessing) the fraternity of all interest in church government, only they have had the liberty to be governed with a hook in their nose (like wild cattle in a string), by the mercy and pleasure of their drivers ; but as for any share in the exercise of government, they have had no more than the horses in the royal stables, for that their spiritual owners having seized all the keys of church power, they profess no dividend shall be 116 THE churches' QUARREL ESPOUSED. made, and also they themselves being uncontrollable by any, and unaccountable" to any, unless it be to Christ himself, as they pretend ; though I believe thousands of them never expect to meet with him, nor think that he ever will audit any accounts of theirs. But, however, for the comfort and glory of the present life, the whole government of the spiritual kingdom, in all its branches and with its immense profits, has been established theirs. But this sort of discipline hath sunk great part of the Christian world as many times over as ages have passed, since it hath been installed universal rector, and where it hath kept absolute possession of the throne. And must the waves and present currents sit and waft these churches towards those rocks and ship- wrecks, whilst we have such good hands and pilots on board ? God forbid ! Therefore let these churches and the noble fr ater- nity of them stan d their ground, keep fast hold of what you have got. Rev. 3 : 11 ; Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Hold your hold, bret hren ! Et validis incumbite re- mis, pu ll up well upon your o ars, you have a rich cargo, and I hope we shall escape shipwreck ; for ac- cording to the latest observation, if we are not within sight, yet we are not far from harbor ; and though the noise of great breakers which we hear imports hazard, yet I hope daylight and good piloting will secure all. More particularly I ask your patience with liberty (still for your service) to make the few following dis- tinct petitions. EPISTLE DEDICATORY. 117 PETITION I. [_ Honorable Bre thren : — That you woufd kno w what you ar e, and who yon are, in the more am ple and heroic sense of your state ! It is certainly very agreeable with graee, for the up- right, sometimes to shift ideas, and change such as are mournful for those which bear a bright aspect in their condition ; otherwise they may rob God of the glory of the best part of his grace and bounty, and disable their own strength for some of the most im- portant services they are called to in the world ; there- fore Nehemiah plucks up his courage and says, Should such a man as I flee ? As though he should say, he knew himself owner of too many great en- dowments and instruments to be so little as to run for it, or be dreaded with such an alarm, Neh. 6 : 11, 12. So brethren imagine yourselves to be somethin g more than ordinary ; for really you are s o ; and that as you are a gospel combination, and collectively considered. " What! th e best m en of our coun try who form our courts, and command our armies, that make the fig- ure and cast tlie true lustre (by their great wisdom and real accomplishments) in all great shows and appearances. M ust all these be made null, or buri ed in a miosis (as is fre quently enacted by ambiti on) for the sake of some inferior members in a frater nity ? which is as much as to say, in state affairs, because cobbler's stalls or orange seller's baskets, afford no 118 THE churches' QUARREL ESPOUSED. statesmen, ergo, none to be found ; or because that in many great counties there may chance to be an hun- dred knaves and twice the number of fools, ergo, there be no legates homines, lawful men fit for juries; ho men fit for burgesses or knights of the shire, to be found to make parliament men ? and so the kingdom must needs loose all its ancient rights by default. And whether or no such observations as these, that are so very conclusive, as you see, may stand for better law and logic in the churches than in the empire ? But if of equal force in each constitution, then, whether this is not the way to inter and bury the glory of the empire and churches in their own rub- bish, whilst we incapacitate the heroes of both by an argument a nmioriad majus, namely, by inferring the insufficiency of the great and wise, because of the mean and base mingled in the same communities. PETITION II. _Z!1^5Ll£yiJ^QiLPJiL-?}i£lL.ML estimation and value on your jchurch liberties, as the English do on their civile And this is but a very reasonable request, if you consider the differing treasures under custody, namely, immortal souls on the one hand, and out- ward fortunes on the other. Many of you know the stories (possibly better than I can recite them) w hich tell us what ship-loads of bloo d_and treasure those civil things that co st the English world ; and how near they still lie to Eng- EPISTLE DEDICATORY. 119 lish men's h earts. An d many of you being imm e- di ate successors, cannot but be very sensible wha t these New England liberties have cost your progeni- tors, some of them having buried their estates, and all of them their bones in these foundations, and left you now in possession, that if you should put con- tempt upon their adventures, their courage, wisdom, zeal, and self-denial, by underprizing these inestima- ble enfranchisements, and slight them as though they were now to be indorsed by your own hands with Hezekiah's Nehushtan, God may then put you to learn the worth of them at that school where they learnt it, and I am sure you will pay dear for your tutoring if it comes to that. PETITION III. Honor and oblige tour pastors and public ministry. It is certain they are very great articles in the rea- sons of your well-being. (Matt. 5: 13, 14.) They make all things more savory, and to go down with a better relish ; yea, they alter tragedies and comedies into a more grateful entertainment. " What is all t he glory in the world without th e gospel purely d is- pensed, and its most refined influence ? These are the" lights of the w orld, and carry the lantern aloft in the dark night of your travels, through the tempestu- ous ocean of a miserable life, to direct all to a safe landing at last. Indeed, I must acknowledge, your ministers, when sound and faithful, are to be accounted and esteemed 120 THE churches' QUARREL ESPOUSED. amongst the best of your friends, though when cor- rupt and prejudiced, the worst of your enemies. I think the devil himself and the world of his ac- complices cannot do you the damage they may upon a revolt. That I beg you will be curious and careful of your interest embarked and deposited there. And without making any scruple (in the main) they are your hearty and faithful servants. Endeavor to increase their love, and let them see and feel you have a double honoj for them for their works' sake. And if after all your repeated grace and goodness, they will desert and betray you, they shall then incur a double guilt both by transgressing the laws of gratitude to you and of loyalty to their great Lord. t'' And I assure you, sirs, I should upon such terms be very loath to share in their triumphs, though their gains should be seemingly great, and their signals and shouts equal with the Ccesars of the world in their going off. PETITION IV. Furnish your churches with ruling elders.* The nature of the office is not o nly agreeable w ith your frame, an? _e xacted by your principles, but i n- * The office of ruling elder obtained in some of the early churches of New England, but has long since become obsolete. Dr. Bent- ley says " The office of elder never existed in Salem but in name, and did not survive the first generation." Dr. "Ware says, " Eul- ing elders were obsolete in 1735 in the Old North Church." Dr. Stiles says, " Neither lay nor teaching elders ever obtained in EPISTLE DEDICATORT. 121 dee d carries safety an d pro tection in it to your lib er- ties ; such trustees are not liable to corruption as otHer officers, in that you do (as it were) transmit and intrust them with your very principles of self-preser- vation, which are of that nature as never to alter their sentiments, unless it be in the dissolution of the .subject, when it falls together. The office seems a creation, where your just and regular sympathies and antipathies centre by the laws of nature ; that what you love, they love ; what you hate, they hate ; and being ex officio, of the standing watch and guard, they will peculiarly personate yourselves upon every notable crisis, and naturally caring for your affairs, will, lilte wakeful sentinels, curiously and with cour- age guard your liberties. Let churches which are numerous and fuller of eminent gifts, lead the way, and then excite and pro- voke their sister churches to such love and good works for the advance of the common cause. There are without doubt, in these churches, many private members, worthy persons, suitably qualified for this office, who (like some edge-tools heedlessly left to rust out in oblivion) lie hid, yet, when found, and put to use, will prove themselves truly eminent. Let Christ's churches seek amongst their neglected hoards ; for they are without doubt, church by church, many of the churches of the first New England generation." Neal affirms that they were obsolete in his day. The titles, bishop, elder, and presbyter, pastors and overseers, are used in Scripture as synonymous or convertible terms. The pastoral of- fice comprehends the whole ministry. — See Punchard's View, pp. 78-84, 109-112; Congregational Dictionary on the word elders, pp. 158-168. "^ 122 THE churches' quakrel espoused. far richer than they make for; there are, indeed, com- plaints of great poverty, and of a dearth and scarcity of suitable men. But I presume it is done with great injustice ; and complaints of this nature in these churches, are but the complaints of servants that are full fed; and relieve no case by complaining, but rather reflect dishonor upon their good master, who hath bought all and bestowed enough and also incur blame to themselves for not improving those talents for the advance of his exchequer, which they themselves have wrapt up in a napkin, and that in this case, by too much symbolizing with the carnal and politic men of the world, who to humor some by ends (un- der the masquerade of indigent persons) make them- selves very poor, though God has given them great riches. (Prov. 13 : 7.) This is a true (though a se- rious affirmation) that in our constitution and prin- ciples, there is as plain a precept, if not as great a reason for this officer, as for any other in our churches ; and yet, as to the matter of fact, we find it to be rara avis in terra, like a black swan in the meadow ; and though the whole species is not quite rooted out, yet it is grown very rare to find one individual. Now the fault must be somewhere, and I am satis- fied our poverty is least to blame. That somebody or another must needs be culpa- ble, on the account of this great omission, may I without offence issue out, search, and inquest, to know w ho is to blame upon this failure, whet her brethren, or public officers, or whole churches ? EPISTLE DEDICATORY. 123 1. Private Brethren. May not the blame be laid in some cases, and in some churches, upon some very capable Christian gentlemen, who, though not encumbered (for the public) w^ith any other incoherent service, yet are possibly too shy of this trust, when offered to them ? It must needs be acknowledged, the office is almost perfectly a piece of mortification and self-denial ; there is no provision in it to feed ambition, or feast any other lust ; all is full of watching and painful- ness, and the reward and wages quite out of sight. But, however, in such examples, whether persons so qualified and so called ought not to comply, or them- selves bear the blame. The terms of Christ's kingdom are very strict and rigorous for the honor of his own crown, when our just titles are competitors, and he lays the conditions of our obedience upon a great forfeiture if we do not submit when called to duty. Matt. 10 : 37, 39. 2. Public Officers. May not the ordained officers in some cases and in some churches be taxed or blamed for this great omission ? Such as out of timidity and distrust, jealous ruling elders, least they should, instead of col- leagues, prove corrivals in the exercise of their own trust and authority, for being men not of such deep learning, yet may prove so fortified with friends and so popular, as that they may be capable to overtop men of greater learning and wiser principles of con- duct in all administrations. 124 THE churches' quarrel espoused. Now if any of Christ's churches are vacated of this officer by such jealousies as these, or of the like na- ture, can the officers be without blame ? and if so, then whether the first-born son may not justly impre- cate future barrenness on his own mother's womb, for fear lest he should be supplanted of the inheri- tance by the next son or brother born of the same mother? Secondly. Such officers as may plead their own par- ticular conscience and persuasion against the office, as being of a doubtful original, or of an uncertain institution, and therefore make bold to overrule our plain precept for it, and the church submits : whether is there not a great blame here ? It seems apparent by all rules of order and govern- ment, that this is too sovereign in the one, and too servile and careless in the other. For that no officer's particular conscience must be a rule to govern any particular church contrary to the church's own law or rule of establishment ; for if it be, then the churches must have as many distinct charters and differing books of canons, as their pas- tors have differing consciences — which is a plain inlet to all sorts of confusion. Thirdly. Such officers who plead the custom of the churches, and so make the illegal omissions of some a sanctuary for the same fault in others ; but whether this plea from custom will hold officers ex- empt from blame, when weighed in a just balance? Custom is justly allowed a great conqueror in the world ; it subdues whole kingdoms to its empire, and all men submit and adhere to its demands and dic- tates as to an oracle. But then it must be custom EPISTLE DEDICATORY. 125 that is honorable, laudable, and uninterrupted, other- wise a custom which continually crosses a plain pre- cept is very culpable, and contracts a long series of guilt, and may expect to be pursued with a tedious train of sad consequences, although it should with much presumption wipe its mouth and say, I am in- nocent. Therefore custom is no plea in this case, but rather renders all who depend upon it to be re- duced to a desperate posture in their thoughts and arguments ; for though there is a customary omission that has prevailed in the churches to a sad degree as to this office, yet the omission has all along crossed a precept, and has been confronted by the custom of other churches in the land, who have attended their duty ; so that those churches who have maintained the practice have kept lawful possession of the right, and the title being matter of record and founded in law, there remains no shelter here from custom for delinquents. Fourthly. "Whether those officers are justifiable who honor the office, yet do honestly and uprightly think that the narrow extent of territory may (as to many churches) serve as a supersedeas (suspension) to the office ? For what need of so many great commis- sions in so small bodies ? But whether small churches have not great work belonging to them, sufficient to improve a full and complete set of offi- cers, and possibly all little enough to do the work well, if the nature and extent of it be rightly consid- ered and faithfully managed ; for who is sufficient for these things ? 126 THE churches' quarrel espoused. 3. The Churches. Whether the churches, as incorporate bodies, are free from blame when they do not regularly endeavor to complete themselves in all offices, and prosecute their claim to this with effect ? The ruling elders are the church's privilege, and a very great right, on which their well-being and sta- bility does much depend, and the great omission in the country has probably brought things to that pos- ture of fickleness as we now find them at. Then whether the churches can be exempt from blame when they suffer such vacancies to continue, when it is in the power of their hands to remedy it? Here indeed is a great question commencing, namely : Question. Whether any church can possibly, and according to rules of order, proceed to elect ruling elders, when other of their officers in actual rule and trust shall refuse to call and guide the church in the choice ? I shall indeed transgress the bounds of my own intentions, and the civility of an epistle, if I should now undertake a full and complete answer to this question. I shall therefore at present only just indicate the principal titles or heads for answer, by pointing briefly at the duties of officers, and the prerogatives of the churches in the case. l.^_It_isjii£ts±_apparent through the \yhol£niinistry of the world (unless in absolute monarchies), that it is the duty of all public officers to minister according to the plain rules of the public state, and not by their EPISTLE DEDICATORY. 127 own fancy or wilk, and so in this case, the chief ruling officer^ officers (then in being) in point of conduct areobligedjo lead the church in their opera- tion accordin^to the church's plain and^settled prin- ciples, and not reluct because their own persuasions do otherwise incline them. It is now plainly too late for any officer to pretend conscience against estab- lished rules. This objection should have been made before they had taken office ; but now it is out of season, for they were elected and ordained to govern the church, not by their own thoughts as the rule, but by the church's canon, and that by their own consent, when they took office. And, moreover, this is most evident, that if such powers as belong to the inside of men's being, namely, their hearts, fancies, notions, judgments, imaginations, or consciences, call them by what names you please, or let the owners freely fix the titles (the odds is not great), now if these are to be the rule of churches, then pastors and ruling offi- cers have (in their degree) as absolute a dominion over the churches, as the great Turk has over his bashaws and other vassals. But I hope none here will claim this dominion. And if not, then let pastors and teachers do their duty in point of conduct (if the churches are not re- miss in theirs), and this great vacancy may be soon supplied, and there is also a relief for officers, if their just prerogatives are anyways touched by the traverse. 2. To confine the discourse to this present exam- ple, and to shorten terms, for brevity's sake, it must be granted that any particular officer, sensible of his duty, that shall undertake to gratify and lead the 128 THE churches' quarrel espoused. church, in the election and choice, etc. This makes the case very easy in point of conduct ; yea, though other officers in the same church, if there be any, should either oppose or not act. For that any one ruling officer in a church, where there may be many of the same nature, he himself is virtually the whole college of officers in any office act that he performs without them. As in civil affairs, a particular execu- tor so far sustains the whole executorship, as that he can make a valid act in that ministry, though many others are joined with him in the same testament, and yet do not nor will not act with him in this or that affair, though confirmed in their trust; which principle is founded in the nature of a joint tenancy in general, and in a joint trust in particular, held by many equals. 3. The case is very difficult when the standing officers join as one man, and will not guide the church in these elections referred to, etc. And I must needs say, I fear here has been the great bar to this office. We may, from interest as well as duty, rationally suppose the inclinations of the churches, and the de- sires of many of them have been made known by repeated and honorable solicitations therein, saying to Archipus, Fulfil thy ministry (Cor. 4: 17), and we may also affirm, the principle is plain, the office is acknowledged at home and abroad to be of divine original. But however this is certain, it is a formal establishment by these churches, and not now to be disputed. Yet the officers pretend they see no reason to give way to the churches' desire or demands, neither will they conduct in this case, though their EPISTLE DEDICATORY. 129 duty does oblige, that so the church may be com- pleted in its officers ; no ! they are pleased, by acts of a superintendiog power, to lock the church door and turn the key against this office, and no pleas or per- suasions can alter their resolutions. But hereby the officers do plainly abdicate their office, by changing the acts of a limited trust, bounded by precept, into what is merely arbitrary ; so in a degree they break up the relation between themselves and the church, and by such an essential error, so contrary to the church's charter and their own commission, they for- feit all at once, though lenity and mercy may favor them with a long life ; yet in the eye of justice they are dead men, if not in nature, yet in law, and upon their obstinacy may justly be degraded ; therefore, in such a case, when it comes to the extremity, the churches may and ought to call in council, and pro- ceed in their work and duty for their owm well-being, after the manner of an inorganic church platform, chap. 10. And this I need not stand to describe, our platform, the laws of the province, and the practice of the churches in other cases and vacancies, will do it. Then whether these congregational churches through these provinces may not justly reflect blame upon themselves, for too supinely negligent a frame of spirit towards so great an interest and so noble an office, seeing they have such a share in government, and can fairly rescue themselves and their own rights by the power and principles of their own essence, when their other officers neglect duty ? 9 130 THE churches' quakkbl espoused. PETITION V. _That you w ill, please, to revise^ the „studj,_and in order to it, a n ewJmpression.of jrourjjlatform. It is very usual for many gentlemen in your coun- try, landed men and men of estates, every man to keep his law book by him ^s his B ible — the Bible for the solace of his mind, and the law book for the safety of his estate, that upon any defamation of title or other encroachments, when his lands and proper- ties are in hazard, he may know whither to repair for his direction and how to make his defence. And so methinks it should be with the members of the churches, as to their stated rights by their canon law. That there should be a kind of a penalty (if the haz- ard in such a defect be not punishment enough) on such delinquents as live members of Christ's visible kingdom here, and yet live without the platform, the ecclesiastical political charter of these churches. I must needs say, and I wish I could whisper it so low that the echo might never rebound to Gath or Askelon, and yet be distinctly heard through these , churches, that I fear Jhe_ impression of th_e_ platform i,s^]mpst_ extinct, if not quite worn out m. the coun- ■ try ;, and that, as it was said in the day of battle under king Saul, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people, so here, though your Bible, which is the sword of the Spirit, is in every man's hand, yet possibly, this spear or necessary weapon in the defence of your gospel liber- ties, your platform, is scarce to be found in the hands of one in a thousand, through all the host of Israel. EPISTLE DEDICATORY. 131 I do therefore advise my country and these churches to furnish yourselves, and that you would encourage the printers in this design, and they can soon recruit you. My honorable and dearest friends. If we are pushed on to battle, and our weapons are then in the oar, we may justly suspect we shall be but too easy and cheap a conquest for assailants. Therefore furnish yourselves in good time with this piece of artillery, that you may be well fixed and equipped for service. Do not you hear from the top of yonder proud and lofty mountain, the enemies' trumpets, and their drums beating a preparative ? Therefore, let all the good soldiers of Christ be complete in this and all other parts of their armor, and at an hour's warn- ing, unless you reckon your treasure not worth defendinsr. PETITION VI. Wh ether it may not be very prnppr for these churches, aft er so long an interval, to admit of t his address, namely, that they will please to meet o r represent themselves in a pr ovincial or gene ral syriod '! That if there be any thing in our church govern- ment which may want amend ation, that (as they say) it may be done, secundu m usum sari im, or regu- larly and according to the manner of these churches ; or if there be any new forms, needful to be inserted. 132 THE CHUKCHBS' QUARREL ESPOUSED. or whatever else may in a way of order be thought necessary for the advance of religion, it may be fairly decided for the service of the whole. And also, if it shall then be judged prudent, our principles for the seizing and trial of the more ungovernable and stouter sort of delinquents and offenders, may be re- vised and somewhat enlarged, that so it may be made very easy for all particular churches to make out processes against them, and that they shall find the churches' fetters will hold them. That forever after all small juncto's of men, or particular persons, member or members of the churches (let their char- acter be what it may be) shall be deterred from being so hardy and bold as to divulge their perni- cious doctrines and seditious sentiments, with such presumption and such hopes of impunity as some of late have done. Thus, right honorable and beloved in Christ ! 1 have nothing more at present to add by way of petition to yourselves, but only that you will please to take this poor piece of service in good part. But though it be but as a little goat's hair, or a badger's hide or two, or skins not well dressed, yet it may be some way useful for the tabernacle. And though it will not shelter against storms of great shot, it may serve to cover and shield from some slighter arrows. But let it be what it may be in every other man's opinion, it is in mine (as to design and intention) my love, honor, and loyalty to my God, prince, and coun- try, for whose service I was born, according to the received maxim, non soli nobis nati sumus. And here I pay one part of my debt to those great creditors in EPISTLE DEDICATORY. 133 such species as I have ; therefore, I hope for pardon from, and acceptance with, all of them. My conclusion is with devoutest application to the supreme throne, that the Almighty God will bless the great Anne, our wise and Protestant princess, New England's royal nurse, and great benefactress, that she may live to see all the Protestant churches through her vast empire more virtuous and more united, and as they all meet and centre with their differing persuasions, by their love and loyal actions in her person and government. Let her most excel- lent majesty, next to Christ, continue absolute in her empire over their hearts, and as she has made such a complete conquest of all different parties within her dominions by her wise and virtuous measures, and thereby won all the fame of rule and sovereignty from her royal progenitors, who could never so charm such mighty nations. Let her reign continue the exactest model for all courts in Europe ! And when she is full, replete, and satisfied with length of days, and the most glorious effects of a prosperous reign, let God favor her lasting and flourishing name with an unperishing monument, on which justice shall be- come obliged to inscribe this memento, namely : " Here lies in funeral pomp the princess of the earth, the storehouse of all ennobling and princely perfec- tions," that if all the monarchs on earth, have lost their excellences, their arcana imperii^ their state, wisdom, skill in government, and all sorts of heavenly, princely, and heroic virtues, here they may be found lodged in this one unparalleled monarch. Let God bless his excellency and preserve the gov- ernment of the province, and let it continue always 134 THE churches' quarrel espoused. in the hands of natives, and let our country succes- sively breed men of such merit, as shall always en- amour imperial majesty with their loyalty and worth ; and that their true deserts may ever purchase for them such a high station, whilst they shall plainly outweigh their rivals in the royal balance. And let them be always patrons to these churches, as an acknowledgment to the crown of heaven, as the set- tled condition of tenure they hold by, and possess such royal demesnes. Let the great and good God of heaven and earth bless these churches, the beauty of the wilderness, and continue so noble a ministry as they now have, and prosper and requite their faithful and unwearied labors, and let him continue the succession, and furnish the next set with greater accomplishments and virtue. Let Christ Jesus, the great shepherd, who hath the care of the flocks in the wilderness, preserve inviola- ble the inestimable privileges and liberties of these churches ; and let them entail them, with all other civil and sacred rights and immunities which they now enjoy, as a sure estate of inheritance to the last posterity of this people. And let their children and children's children remain from generation to gen- ■ eration, until the world be done with and the sun has left shining. So prays the meanest of all your servants in Christ, John Wise. May 31, 1710. ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 135 AN ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. The nobleness of parentage, by the laws of ho nor, entai Is~oh posterity (with other ri,a;hts) a protectio n fr om all incivil ities, bat not from the austerer d e- m ands of justice, when that is affronted and viola ted. Justice keeping the golden rule {quo dal suum cuique) observes no other distin ctions, than what it first ma kes in its distributions amongst the rich and p oor, the noble and ignoble, it is no respecter of per sons ; for that it is superior to all men, and sits as a veiled empress, holding the balance to weigh out equal to each one according to the merits of the cause, and sees no man. Th ere being now under cognizance such as are of honorable families, and yet arrested and brought by d ue course of law to answ er for high crimes, it must not be supposed rudeness in manners, though they be somewhat freely and rusty handle d, whilst the prosecution is held agreeable with the impeachment and rule of justice. A nd as for myself, who am un - -^ der co mmission from authority, to appear in defenc e of my country's sacred liberties, I can in my own j us tification affirm, th at I hav e no dishonorable incli - nations, but ca rry a just mind, so as to condemn no man or thing, but upon plain evidence, nor to aggra- vate any plea beyond its just bounds. Therefore, though in the following pages there may be discerned a great liberty in argument, with a 136 THE churches' quarrel espoused. mi xture of sat ires, as though none_ but_mxiflfe^^°'^^ were involved in the charge ; yet ascribe it unto my love and veneration for so great an interest as I ap- pear for, and not to any base intent of sinking the honor, or darkening the lustre of men. I neither de- sire, nor design to hurt any man, no, not so much as aTia k on~his head, but I ^oMy ai m at m-or, that is t he butt_I level f or. _ TEiis having by this brief but sincer e/apolog y, ^e- cured the honor of my intentions, if I am worthy of belief, I shall no longer interrupt the process, but shall next, draw up the indictment upon which these propos als are to pass and abide a trial. And this I shall do in a form borrowed from Sir Edward Cooke, the king's attorney, in the arraign- ment of Sir Walter Rawleigh, in these words. Hexeis. mischie£,-mischieLJia^.mtun.CLMradu ; yea, exorbitaaLrnischjef. This is the charge I offer to make good against the proposals at the bar of com- mon reason ; in order thereto, I shall proceed, and expect to produce sufficient evidence under two heads. I. By a few preliminary queries. II. By a more critical examinati on of the propo- sals themselves. I. As introduc tory, and for the bringing in further evidence against the criminal proposals, now upon their trial, I offer these f ollowing queri es. Q uery 1st. Whether the churches in New E ng- lan d are not fairly in possession of a form of gove rn- m ent, by which thev are distinguished from most of the reformed churches in the world, more than by ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 137 their grace ? a nd if so (which no man that know s them will deny), then it must be some superio r power or their own voluntary act, regularly obtained, that mu st out or disposses s them. Did an equal claimer appear, yet long and quiet possession holds against a writ of ejectment, a very strong plea in the sessions, both of reason and law ; according to that acknowledged maxim, jEquali jure, melior est con- ditio possidentis, when two plead an equal right, he is in the best condition who is in possession ; then it can be no less than a very indisputable right, and duly prosecuted with effect, that can dispossess these churches of their government. Query 2d. Whether length of time has discov ered an y essential error in the government of these churches ? And First, it has, or Secondly, it has not. 1. If time has made any such discovery, yet the proposals have n ot been so fair as to detect it, or d e- scribe wherein or in what respec t. The great service these churches with their government have done, in subduing and beautifying a wilderness, bespeaks some considerable respect from all men, who value wisdom or piety ; that it must needs seem a harsh piece of justice, without any formal trial, for them to be driven from plenty, and sent to the doors of their own tenants, to beg for a booty out of that estate which was once their own at least, by a seizing in fact, if not in law ; for that the proposals kill, and take possession with far less ceremony or legal for- malities than Ahab did in gaining the right of Na- both's vineyard ; when as if there is any essential error in their frame or constitution, and that they 138 THE churches' quarrel espoused. have either ignorantly or treacherously assumed any peculiar prerogative which belongs to Christ's throne, as king, that was never their due to possess (and so being considered as usurpers, are dead in law), yet notwithstanding it would not have offended against the laws of gratitude in sending them to their graves, to have put some more marks of honor upon them, by certain solemn and usual forms of trial in the pro- logue of their dissolution ; for they have been cer- tainly great and good servants to the public, that if they deserve to die, they ought to die under all the marks of honor which justice can allow of, at the least a grand sessions, a jury, and liberty to make plea in their own defence, and under the influence of royal council, should have been granted ; unless they may be treated as conquerors serve unfortunate pi- rates, who when taken, are without form of law hung up at the yard-arm. 2. But if no such discovery can be made, whether it is a wise a rici just thing tor men to alter their g ov- ernme nt ? The churches of Christ in this country have been in possession of this form of government ; and it hath been established by certain legal and or- derly familiarities and universal consent; and has continued upwards of threescore years. And as the poet says, Pervarios casus per tot discrimina rarum tendimus in ccelum, they have passed various changes, and great temptations, and yet to this day by this besom of discipline have been kept as clean swept as any churches of God in the world ; and any such embroilments as have lately happened in the churches, have been more the folly of administrators, in not keeping to the rules of government, than from any ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 139 defect in the constitution. Then what reason have we to meditate a change ? No, certainly ; it will be more divine and agreeable with the law of our relig- ious gratitude to join with the Rev. Mr. Nicholas Noyse in his doxology or use of triumph and praise for the great mercies he recites in his election ser- mon, p. 79, says he, Thanks be to God and the king ! our houses and our lands are our own, without every man's being at the cost of a charter; and yet we have the liberty of our religion and the free exercise of it without subscribing new articles of faith, wor- ship, or discipline ; which is a great favor of God, if we have wisdom and grace to improve it rightly. Que ry. Whether the right improvement will be t o alter the scheme of our government or disci pline, se e- in g nobody else will do it for us? I No, surely ! But it will be more agreeable, with both our policy and duty, to follow the good advice Mr. Cotton M ather leaves us in his Golden-street, page 40 , in these words, " Where we have a platform left us that is according to the word of our gracious Lord, and the pattern in the mount ; we shall be great enemies to ourselves if we do not keep to it." Qu ery 3d. Whether it be not great bold ness for any particular gentlemen to invade, null, alter, or weaken so great a right and propriety, as is the gov- erjj«ient of these churches without their consent ? ^ government is the ,greatgst_blej3sing iiL_ the world , \ofa,_ worldly nature ; it is felony, cheaper by far to the loosers, to plunder men of their estate and wealth, nay, and of their lives too, than to despoil them of government ; for by the latter you harass and wony them in the world with plagues and miseries, worse 140 THE churches' QUARREL ESPOUSED. than death itself, that the basest is far better than no government; a churlish tyranny is better than anin- ^oient_anajx;_hy, wherV men are without law, and all hail felWs, not well, but badly met.^ AniLfar men to alter or swap government, without all interested parses are agreed, ii' a very bold intrusion. Crhat, yea, that gov^rnnient which is in any good measure IbfrnedT^d does agree with the iiatural TreedtiTirot^human beings, and is a'djusted bytUelaws o'f wisdom and honor, and plainly and fairly_ estab= lished; is too much of God in the world, and too "great a royalty belonging to men, for any to play the knave or fool with. _^ And when a government hath done all things in the main well, and has reaped in a great stock of blessings, now to shuffle it out of place is fickleness and not policy ; for a sensible series of blessings will always atone for some seeming defects in a constitu- tion. Therefore when all Israel met at Ramah, in a general assembly, to alter their consular government which had been crowned with signal blessings, they got ill will in the court of heaven for it, 1 Sam. 8 : 7. The great success which attended, signified it to be a theocracy, and that it had more of God than of man in it, which is an argument, cmteris paribus, for all other governments, and so for this of New Eng- land churches, which has been honored with great success and many blessings from its beginnings to this day ; therefore well does Mr. Cotton Mather de- scribe the subject and advise his country, in his late sermon on the Street of Gold, says he (in a remark- able passage out of a letter), page 40 : " Here is a temple built, more glorious than Solomon's, not of ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 141 dead stones, but living saints ; which may tempt the greatest queen of Sheba to come and see, and allure even kings from far to come and worship me. There- fore, as to their government (says he), sirs, do not spoil it, oh ! destroy it not ! there is a blessing in it." Query 4th. Whether by comparing the proposals and "our plattorm, we do not find them repug nant and so contradictor y, th at if one stands the o ther must f all? And that we can as soon reconcile a republic with an absolute monarchy, or the best sort of free states with a politic tyranny, or at least with an oligarchy, where the chief end of government is the enriching and greatness of its ministers ; and this we may do when we have compounded these proposals and our platform, so that as that faithful and noble friend to these churches, t he famous and learned Increa se Mather, D. D., in an appendix to his dissertation con- cerning the sacrament, lamen ts several plots cons pir- ing the dissolution of these famous churches, in these w ords, nam ely : The bold attempts which have of late been m ade to unhinge and overset the congregationa l churches in New England, by decrying their holy co venant, etc. We may here justly heighten the complaint, and cry, pro dolor I hinc lachrimce I Alas, alas I here is the grief! hence flow our tears ! For here is a bold attempt indeed, not only to despoil the house of some particular piece of furniture, but to throw it quite out at windows ; not only to take away some of its ornaments, but to blow up its foundations. For these bold attempts which that worthy complains of, seem now to be grown very 142 THE churches' quarrel espoused. rampant ; for here is in view a combination of \vork- raen disaffected with the fashion of the old fabric, who (in pretence) design to repair, but in reality to ruin the whole frame. They appear (indeed) some- thing in the man ner of Nehemiah ^ men on the w all. (Neh. 4 : 17), as it were with a trowe l in one hand, with which they now and then put on a little untem- pered mortar, to plaster over a chink or two, where the old work by length of time is somewhat weather- beaten, to pacify the jealousies of the inhabitants, that they may think these builders (surely) are mend- ing and not marring their old comfortable habitation. JBut in^ reality they have in the other hand a formi- dable maul, not as Nehemiah's weapon to defend, but to break down the build ing ; for they are all hands at work banging the platform in pieces, upon which the old fabric is built. That may not the churches and all their lovers sigh and complain, as once Cicero did, O tempora I O mores I who would have expected such times and such things from such men? Q uery 5th. We must needs then inquire^ from when ce the proposals derive their for ce ? Who gives the m letters of attorney, or commission to sue the se churches (by a quo ivarranto) out of possessi on of theiF gove rnmeiit? "T o me (I must needs confess) the attempt is very daring, and I see no way of reconciliation, unless the scheme drawn in the pro- posals can be fairly sheltered under some more au- thentic and specious umbrage, than the bold dictates, though of the wisest of men, when they are pleased to set themselves up oracles for their country. So I come. ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 143 II. To the more critical examina tion of the propo- sals themselves, which I shall attend, I. More generally. II. More particularly, by taking a survey of them in their distinct sections. I. More generally, by inquiring into their original, a nd nat ure. 1. By making a more exact inquest and search after their original, and in this debate they forfeit their essence, unless they can derive their pedigree, either, (1) From God's imm ediate inspirat ion. Or, (2) From an cient revelatio n. Or, (3) Froin__right reason, whuVhJs a, ray ofjdrvine_ \ wisdom, enstamp e'ci upon human nature. Or, \ (4) From the platform of the churcliesfwhich is a I system of government collected by our ancestors out 1 of several fountains, and principally from the Scrip- 1 tures. Now in pursuing this distribution, I shall dil- I igently inquire whether we can hear of their original Vjander any of these heads. (1) As to immediate inspiration I must need s pre- sume , these gentlemen will not dare to assert, that they are sent immediately from God with this mes- sage to the churches ; they arc too good and wise to pretend (with enthusiasts) to immediate vision, or a spirit of prophecy ; both the matter and manner of their writing, sufficiently convinces that these propo- sals are their own sentiments ; they durst not put a. Thus saith the Lord upon them ; such an inscription is too heavenly and royal for such coin ; for both they and we know, according to Deut. 30 : 12. It is not in heaven that thou shouldest say, who shall go 144 THE churches' quarrel espoused. up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may know it and do it ? There is no need to send messengers to that court, to learn by immediate and extraordinary information, either the laws of our duty or interest ; for that God hath made all things suffi- ciently plain by this time of day, either by Scripture or reason, for the conduct and government of his churches; yea, of the subjects of his universal intel- lectual monarchy in this world. (2) As to ancient revela tion ; Holy Scripture, that best^th opgh not the biggest of books, is the sai nt's lib rary, and the clergyman's pandects, whence he t akes the rules for the management of his tr ust ; so that it is very amusing that the Bible should be forg otten in drawing up such schemes as th ese ; as though the usage of the pope's conclave, which turns the Bible out of doors for a wrangler, and gives the chief seat to tradition, etc., were here in fashion. Indeed, I cannot but esteem them very unfortunate proposals, to be t urned so naked into the world as no t to have the least tincture of Scripture to gua rd t hem from contem pt ; no, not so much as a citation, that might admit of so much as a strained conse- quence in their defence. And so, though less pro- fane, yet they are also less politic than the most des- perate of heretics, who always bring their errors on the stage guarded with Scriptures, and craftily en- deavor to make their citations look with such an aspect as though they were encamped on their side. But h ere we have nothing for our faith to lean on. but so many austerer ijise dixi ts as bitter pills of death for the churches to swallow, without any of the confection of heaven or the sweet manna sprinkled ANSWER TO THK FOKEGOINS PROPOSALS. 145 upon them ; or else only so many naked human pre- sumptions, as arrows or bolts too rashly shot out against the sides of our churches, and no word of Scripture to tip or feather them. Nay, it is very memorable, and I account fatal, and to be observed that God, that sacred title of the Almighty, with which the Holy Scriptures do so abound, is not once named (as I can find) in the whole treatise ; as though the most sacred titles, as well as sections of that heavenly book would move fears and irritate jealousies, rather than pour down solace and comfort upon this undertaking. Therefore, in a word, the whole Bible is thrown by as a sealed parchment, or as one that never prophecies good to such adven- turers. Therefore, these proposals being a pprehen ded as s ea rovers and indicted upon the statute of piracy ; and upon examination being found without the prince of princes' colors, and yet doing great mischief in assaulting and wounding his churches and lawful subjects on their honest occasion ; being bound on a voyage to their own country, they can noways in justice escape, but must pass under the sentence and endure the pains of death, for they are taken fighting without commission. (3) As to reas on. ^^JRecta ra tiQ , right^ reasmi, that gre at oracle in human affairs, is the soul of man so for med and endowed by c reation, with a certain sa gacity or acumen (in many particular exam ples sh arpened by the constitution of nature, by grace an d stu dy), whereby man's intellect is enabled to take up (pr o_medulo, or in a degree) the true idea —Oi—perce p- tion jTf thin gs agreeable with, and according to thej r natures. So that if we bring these proposals under 10 146 THE churches' qtjakrel espoused. examination by the laws of reason, we must inquire wh ether they are agreeable with the nature and co n- stituti on of the churches, if they fully harmonize wi th thei r principles of essence, then they may be enrol led fo r canons ; but if thev jar, and are plainly repugna nt, wejn ay then lawfully censure them, and pronoun ce t hem irrationa l. Whether these churches are consti- tuted by Scripture or reason, yea or no, that is not our question, but being of such a frame or constitu- tion as they now are and always have been, all who pretend to support and preserve them, and yet take such measures as will utterly overthrow and dissolve them, such repairers have apparently deserted the dictates and government of right reason. And here we may collect an induction of some few hint s of certain particulars for evidence ; the platfo r m a sserts a classis to be no gospel form oF church o r- der ; the proposals say it is, or they abuse our credu- lity. The proposals order the association to have the first cognizance of church cases ; our government says, no, it belongs to the jurisdiction of particular churches. The proposals give power to the associa- tion to limit elections, and to direct them ; but our government says, no, it will not consent ; the election of officers is the prerogative of the churches, and they will not, as yet, part with it, etc. So that when we /tean by the rules of grammar, resolve yea and nay, to be the same voice and word, then you may reconcile the i proposals and the platform ; that certainly whatever there be of religion, the method is apparently disa- greeable with common reason. (4) As to the pla tform. I shall represent it by a kind of a short prosopopcsia, thus, namely, inquiring ANSWER TO THE EOREGOING PROPOSALS. 147 whether the proposals are reduced from this fountain, the platform with all its chapters, and with one joint consent, as plain as the tongue in their head can ut- ter it, say, that ever since it possessed the govern- ment, so much as dreamed of them. It may say with destruction (Job 28 : 22), we have heard of the fame of these things with our ears, but never imag- ined so much as a seminal virtue in our own being, for their procreation ; but rather starts with the news of their approach, out of fear of its own dissolution, from their repugnant and formidable nature. There- fore, as in a grievous fright from surprise, cries out with Athaliah, treason, treason ! And begs that zeal and conscience, those two solicitors for the crown, will at this grand court of Oyer and Terminer, im- plead and prosecute them as traitors to the prince of peace, and felons to these churches, Christ's loyal subjects. So I come, 2. To inqu ire into the nature of these proposals, by surveying their composition and properties. (1) Their composition. They seem a conjunction of almost all the church governments in the world ,"^ an d the least part is congregat ional. Indeed, at the first cast of the eye, the scheme seems to be the SBectrfi.jo»--gheBt---e£- ^esbyteriarugjm, or jljie, govern - riierit ot the church by classes ; yet if I do not mis - fefce5-4«4flterition there is something considerable of prelacy in it, only the distinct courts of bisho ps, with the steeples of the churches, tithes, surplice, and other ornaments, do not shew themselves so visible, as to be discerned at the first look, yet with a micro- scope you may easily discern them really to be there in embryo, etin rerum natura ; for this is a known 148 THE churches' quaeebl espoused. maxim, Quod necessario subintellegitur non deest. What is necessarily understood, or lies hid in the in- tention of a design, is really there, by a just interpre- tation ; therefore these proposals which dare revolt so far at a step, as these have done, must needs under- stand no less in their aim, than an ennobling govern- ment for clergymen, which our princes and parlia- ments have adorned the churches withj This seems rational, that those which never stick at robbing the churches of such an immense treasure, as the propo- sals carry off, will never stand. Shall we ! shall we ! at the offer of a bishopric, which is a barony with all its rights and royal appurtenances. \ l^ere is also something in it which smells_very slrgiig of the infallible chair, fo~assume the power of making rules" to'engross all principles of process, the right of election, the last appeal, the negative vote, and all superintending power in matters ecclesiastic, as the prerogative of clergymen, distinct from all other estates and ministers in government ; or thus, for the clergy to monopolize both the legislative and executive part of canon law, is but a few steps from the chair of universal pestilence, and by the ladder here set up, clergymen may, if they please, clamber thus high ; for when they are invested with what is in these proposals provided and intended for them, who then can control them but the Almighty him- self ?7as was said of those daring men, Gen. 11 : 6. AndAiow nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do ; for who can now with- hold from them infallibility, or stop the direful and definitive sentence ? Who can limit their power, or shorten their arm in their executions ? Their bulls ANSWER TO THE EOREGOING PROPOSALS. 149 can now upon any affront, bellow and thunder out a thousand terrible curses ; and the poor affrighted and invassalled laity, both princes and subjects (being hereat in the grave, put under one and the same topic) must forfeit their salvation, if they do not tamely submit, and obediently become their execu- tioners ; for that it is now evident that all power is, if not really given, yet formerly stolen, and in intent bequeathed to them. (2) Their grogerties. The first property is(djsorderiJ Order^isJ3Qtli.t,haJ:t£auty apd safety of the universe : take away th e dec orum where b;L-lhS— whole hangs together, the grea t frame of nature is unpinned and dropa^iifisejrom piece ; and out of a beautiful struc- irtr^-yff;. havp.a (;'Jtart!i. These proposals are there- fore very mischievous, if not in matter, yet in the manner of production ; they are f ull of di sorder, being thin gs born out of due time, their conqeption is wi th- out countenance, from the rule of order. Indeed, there is no statute to be found that will justify the first coitus (intercourse) of the parents, neither will any allow their social ^ife; that the birth must bear the attainder of being both begotten and born out of lawful wedlock, and so in point of honor fall under the censure of the Levitical law, and must be kept back from promotion; for (Deut. 32), " A bastard shall not enter into the congregation." That to pass all other remarks, if we are under mis- take in the assertions; I then demand and inquire, where is that lawful authority which published legal banns, with the consent of all the interested persons, and the regular consummation of the match ? If any rule can be found to shelter and honor the concep- 150 THE churches' quaerel espoused. tion and birth, let it be produced ; and if escaping other felonies with life, this scandal shall be taken off; but otherwise it must remain as a bar to the tenth generation. The second property is fusurpationj The propo- sals apparently usurp the church prerogatives. It has been asserted, and it is true, these churches have been settled upon the platform of their own govern- ment for upwards of sixty years ; they have often re- vised and reinforced the establishment, both as the principles of their consociation and union in general, and the form of government for every church in par- ticular. Then for these proposals, without license, to assume a legislation, and form of a government, so repugnant to their own, can be no less than usurping a dominion over them, contrary to the rule 1 Pet. 5 : 3, neither as being lords over God's heritage. Less- er acts against empire hath cost many a bold man his head. What! for a particular knot or junto of gentlemen to make so bold with a settled govern- ment as to pick out all the ennobling royalties, liber- ties, and enfranchisements in it, and sacrifice them to their own ambition ! It is enough to put^man- l statists, that that monarch who has the command of the seas, can at his pleasure command any maritime country. And so, those men who have the commandJ and empire of the conscience jjf mankind, can com-i mand-t-hek' esta-tes, -and~indeed whartsoever "eise-4&^ grateful te them. -^ Then, whereabouts are we in our politics, when we have delivered up the royalties that are chal- lenged ? and in what a weak capacity shall we leave posterity ? Nay, these virtuosos themselves seem to be hardened, with the ostrich, against their own natu- ral issue, unless the thing would chance to spring up as quick as Jonah's gourd, and hang as full of pearls and diamonds as the seas and rocks of India, and they themselves shall have the first shake, and fill all their coffers with this harvest, or at least, that they are assured that they can and shall entail their offices as securely as their lands upon their own children, as was the order of priesthood and the fashion of the house of Levi. But alas ! These modes are all worn out and made null ; and such men's sons as we are now treating of, fall in with the multitude, and must carry their equal share of the common load; that should the project prevail under their management (might they but look up out of their graves in about ANSWEE TO THE FOKEGOINS PROPOSALS. 159 half an age), they may complain in elegy, after the manner of Virgil with his, Sic vos non vobis hos ego versiculos feci, tubit alter honorem. These verses I made, but another man carries away the honor. So these gentlemen might even say, we have contrived to greaten the clergy, and with bees have filled a rich hive ; and built a fair nest well feathered, but our posterity we see is never the warmer, nor will they lick their fingers of it ; and not only so, but are the men that must make up the tenth sheaf, and deliver the tenth cock, calf, and lamb unto others out of poor demesnes. And also it may justly beget a mournful remembrance in posterity of their parents, and make them often look with a sad countenance ujDon their fathers]_graves, ijot because they _ai^5ead,JMit be- cause they had not ended their days sooner, namely, because this scheme (so oppressive and cruel to their small freeholds) had not taken effect under their rnanaget-oeatw _^ _^.^„,„_^^^ _ , , 2. We come now, according to engagement, to take a survey of the proposals in their distinct sec- -, tions. SECTION I. That the ministers of the country form themselves into a ssociatio ns, that may meet at proper times to consider such things as may properly lie before them. A nswer. There is no doubt or question to be made , b ut that the ministers and pastors of Ch rist's churches may meet in greater or lesser nuna bers ; for they "are 160 THE churches' quakrel espoused. m asters of themse lves, and no more accountable how they spend their time than other men are ; but to meet at certain times and places as political incorpo - r ate bodies, or in the form of classes, for the exercise and ma na gement of ,s;overnment, this must be det er- mined by some precept issued from a legislat ive powe r ; and without this, such who gave the advice and exhibit the call, are very despotic and arbitrary, and those who attend it are servile in their submis- sion ; for that there is no man in his right wits will take this honor unto himself, " but he that is called of God, as was Aaron, Heb. 5 : 4." The offer or in- vi±atia!l_bids defiance_to ^urjcgnstiiaition ; for our platform denies the classical state of the church under Christ (chap. 2, sect. 5). Therefore, this is a daring article in the criminal's case, and as it strikes at the v itals of our gove rnment, it must in the trial bear weight accordingly. Section. And that each of these associations has a moderator for a certain time, who shall continue till another be chosen, -who may call them together upon emergencies. Answer 1. What li mits shall be assigned for th e pr ecincis of every distinct associat ion ? Or may w e con_ clude the best model is to follow the civil distinc - ti ons made by the coun ties ? And if so, then the pa stors of each classis are scattere3~through alerr i- to ry of twenty or thirty miles square, more or le ss, a nd then it must needs follow that the moderator~ to d ischarge his dut y, provide messengers to cite all these distinct gentlemen upon any emergency ; but the great difficulty is, what kind of messenger it must be, whether king Solomon's tell-tale bird may ANSWER TO THE FOREaOING PROPOSALS. 161 be trusted with matters of such importance ? Or, whether the moderator must reimburse him ? Or, must he go on his own cost, contrary to equity in that law ? 1 Cor. 9:7, " Who goeth to warfare on his own charge ? " It is apparently an error, that care hath not been taken to find horse and man, and baiting- places for both on this journey, otherwise for a legis- lative power to prescribe chargeable offices, and leave them destitute of a temporal support, they must of necessity die to save charges, or turn mendicants, or hope in their travel to meet with the prophet's, juni- per-tree ; all which are as disagreeing with good rea- son as^ the proposal itself. 2.^3^ modera^r has an unlimitedpower during th^ jrorogation of theasseia bly.^ (1 ) He m ust judge of emergencies, that he may s ummon the members ; and being left vested with such a prerogative, if after he has made his citation he recants, he can then countermand his own order, though the gentlemen should be all mounted and ready to move. (2) If there chance to be an emergency of common concern- ment, if he finds his own favorites involved in the guilt and danger, he then gives no notice, but stifles the business and so cheats the company. (3) And upon any disgust, it is now at his mercy to null the whole frame ; for he must be in place till another be chosen, and how will they get together if he will not give the word ? Unless they are creators of them- selves the second time, as they were the first. That to institute such charitable designs without a fund, and tie such trust and dominion on the shoulders of men after such a lax and careless manner, and leave them at such loose ends, as easily to make fools of 11 162 THE churches' qtjarkel espoused. men; for my own part, I slight such methods in government. SECTION II. That qu estions and cases of importanc e, either provided by themselves, or by others presen ted unto them, should be upon due deliberation answered. A nswer. I suppose there is no intent to erect a y oung or mock-royal societ y, or that all questions and cases of experi mental philosophy be admi tted ; if it should be so, I think this somewhat touches upon the prerogative of the crown, and may be called in ques- tion under the head of high misdemeanors, if not pro crimini lesce majestatis ; but, howsoever, though there be no distinction made, yet we will take it in a more charitable sense, and that the proposal (in intent) is wholly confined to church matters ; and if so, we must then inquire, ho w many deep questions can b e I found in our country grown mo uldy with the Gibe- onites' bread, for want of w ise handli ng ? Or can we find any such heaps of gordian knots as opprobria iheologorum, — The reproach of divines laid up against (the time) this consistory meet to untie them, that we must needs molest our old settlements for their solu- tion? F or my own part I cannot comprehend the proposal, unless it be a plot to introduce the enemy th at IS in the rear, that is, by making show of grea t ill uminations we may be dazzled with ihpW Inatr n, and thereby the more easily taken in the snare here laid. But, however, to conclude, as the wise man says of things more physical or artificial, Eccl. i. so I ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 163 may say of questions and cases, there are none new under the sun. They have been all well spoken to ; every learned casuist is full of them, etc., and Ames and Turettinus, etc. for a few shillings will do no more in a month for an inquisitive inind, than this proposal can do in the tedious apprenticeship of many years ; then certainly, computing by rules of proportion, we can noways expect that the clear gains should coun- tervail the great damage we shall sustain by swap- ping governments upon these terms. SECTION III. That advice be taken by the associated past ors from time to time, ere they proce ed to any actio n in their particular churches, which may be likely to produce any embroilments. Answer. This is very dishonora ble, and also a very unr easonable encroachment upon the officers a nd gov ernment of the churche s. It divests the officers of the free exercise of tha t office-authority which G od's word and our platform places in them (read Flatf. chap. 10, sect. 8, 9). These are to feed and rule the church es, they are to receive the accusations, and prepare them for the churches' hearing. This section of the platform fixes both process and judicature in particular pastors and churches without any limitation, but the proposal allows no process to be opened till letters of license be obtained from the classes. But why may not all other persons in office be thus fettered as well as the 164 pastors of churches ? Are these the only students of wisdom and righteousness, that are strangers to the nature of actions, to the rule and the application of it ? All other officers in trust and commission, who are wise and loyal, execute the hardest articles in their employ, and who may say to them why do you so ? Our judges never stick to hang a man, so long as their commissions and the law will bear them out, and they themselves are left to be interpreters of both. And that this proposal is a sanctuary for offi- cers against a storm. Alas ! the most that we can make of it is a covering of fig-leaves, and may serve for a harbor to cowards and fools, but not for men of spirit and conduct. The dream of_ an__embroiliiient can, ,jiexer^counterBois£-dnty^.-iLin en are trusj ed with dnty, they r xinst consult that^ ^and not events. If men are placed at helm _to_^teerjn_all--we€tth«r that blows, they. mait_n_ot _be afraid Lflf-the wfivps.nr a wet cijat. It is certain it was no diminution for Timothy to carry St. Paul's cloak and parchments from Troas, 2 Tim. 4 : 13. Yet for particular pastors in the man- agement of church government to do little more than to carry the copies and parchments of associations about the country, and hang up their decrees on the pillars of churches, according to the order of the pro- posal, can never entitle them to such a tribute of love and honor as the Scripture does assign them, as the purchase of their great merits (1 Tim. 3: 5. 1 Thess. 5: 12, 13). Such bequestments as these from the fountain of honor, must signify more than some such poor low servile business (noways too high for Jero- boam's priest to execute) as is laid out in the propo- ANSWER TO THE FORBSOING PROPOSALS. 165 sal, but especially if they have but some one head man to conduct and draw up the conclusion. Section. That the associated pastors do carefully an d lovin gly treat each other with that watchfuln ess which may be of universal advantage. Answer 1. Whether wa tchfulness is proper, o r a term applicable t o persons so qualifi ed, so sacred, and in so high a function as those who are here in- tended ? 2. Whether to institute watchmen over watch - me n, be not the way to distribute the clergy into in - f erior and superior degree s, and so ad infinitum, et c., or at least till the churches of this country (for you must know this is one proposal made for their sup- port), be supported and well ordered by suffragans, metropolitans, and other great pillars of those churches, where clergymen in higher orbs inspect those in the same order, who are beneath them in trust and dignity ? 3. But if you inten d honestly only the watch of one brother over a nother, as is the duty of all Chr is- tia n people, one towards another, then I cannot un - ders tand the sense of the wor d, as applicable here, with the least good meaning or syntax imaginable. (1) For though there is a design of new mode lling of men, and bringing clergymen into another form of so ciety, yet there is no intent divulged, that they shall cohabit, bed and board together upon certain charters, as the friars or benedictines, in their royal monasteries. Indeed, the section might have been engrossed with the first canons of t he Dominica ns, or St. Sennet's law s, when first entering upon their monastic life ; but it noways agrees with this con- stitution. 166 THE churches' quarrel espoused. (2) For, as for the occasional meeting of men, eminently sober and virtuous, what business can be supposed for a watch, for about the space of twenty- four, or forty-eight hours in such examples ? Very bad men will hold out longer than so, in a good be- havior, under the awe of but some one venerable person, or a grave Cato. (3) And when these eminent persons, members of the association, are dispersed to their own proper precinct, the proposal surely does not intend they shall follow the chargeable example of princes, who usually keep spies in each other's courts, to inform themselves how things are managed there ; for it is plain, the charge and expense in managing such a watch as this will reduce all clergymen to this di- lemma, that they must either vote up the salary or vote down the method. But then the thing itself is not fair ; for it would seem as though they watched more for the halting than the help of each other. But_as.Jor thejjop psal, a ri ddle_J found it. and a riddle l leave it. Sect ion. And that if any minister b e accused to the association where he be longs, of scandal or her- esy, the matter shall be there examined, a nd if the a ssociated ministers find just oc casion f or it, th ey shall direct a callirig of the council, by which such a n offender is to be proceeded ag ain st. Ansioer. I must boldly and freely inquire, wheth er t his is an honest answer to the question propounde d in the head of the propos als ? Or whether in reality th is IS the supporting, preserving, and well ordering t he interest of the churches there meant ? If you mean as you speak, I am sure there is either some jU^swer to the foregoing proposals. 167 dishonesty or some misunderstanding between the question and the answer ; for it cannot possibly be otherwise, unless the parts of speech are lately be- come a chaos, and all words are not only of the doubtful gender, but such unreasonable epicenes, that not only both kinds, but both contraries are sig- nified in them ; or thus, that to buUd, plant, repair, pluck up, pull down, and demolish, are all now be- come convertible terms ; for take away these high prerogatives from the churches, and you take away their being. These and such like royalties, are their formalis ratio, or the formal cause {per quam res est id quod est) by which they are what they are ; and this will be very evident, if we do but read a short lecture on the churches' essence anatomized, or let their essential and constituent parts and powers be viewed in the history and philosophy of their own beings, and we shall quickly discern your mistake ; for that end read platform, chap. 5, sect. 2. Ordinary church power, namely, or privilege, belongs to the brotherhood, and may be acted or exercised imme- diately by themselves. And more directly to the case in hand, look into chap. 10, sect. 6. Where there we read. If an elder offend incorrigibly, the matter so requiring, as the church had power to call him to office, so they have power, according to order (the council of other churches, where it may be had, directing thereto) to remove him from his office ; and being now but a member, in case he add contumacy to his sin, the church that had power to receive him into their fellowship, hath also the same power to cast him out, that they have concerning any other members. 168 THE churches' quakrbl espoused. Now herein we find an essential article in the government and being of these churches, that they have and hold such jurisdiction over their own mem- bers ; that the highest tribunal ecclesiastical on earth is there ; and that their own delinquent private mem- bers and public officers are triable only there, and there they must receive the definitive sentence and abide the execution of it. And if so, then I shall make bold to revive my query again, namely : Whether the proposal is either honorable, civil, or honest, thus to tumble down at one blow this high seat of authority ? and to break open our prison doors and loose the fetters of our great offenders ? and at the best to take them out of our hands, and make their mittimus to foreign pastors to do justice upon them, and yet in the mean time to profess they are doing us no other injuries, but only repairing and mending our churches ? Again, whether this is fair and workman-like amongst honest men ? But to make a stop here, I must remind you that this head is not to be passed over slightly ; for this is the on e thing in the essence of our churc hes, it is t heir peculiar enfranchisement and birthrig h t^ and w e m ay not sell it with Esau at a cheap ma r ket; if we d o, we undo oursel ves ; for indeed you must know, here lies the marring or making of our churches ; here is laid up their strength, and here hangs the pick-lock of their treasure ; for by this key stolen or wrenched out of their hands, the churches of Christ in the world have been exposed and plundered for more than a thousand years, and many of them have nothing at this day left them, comparatively, but a poor, starved, shabby implicit faith, and a dull, faturnal, blunt, and ANSWER TO THE TOBEGOING PROPOSALS. 169 blind obedience, that a man would scarcely give a groat for both of them. In a word, the usurpations of the pastors since the great revolt, having unshack- led one another and broke loose from the restrictions they are justly subjected to under the churches' power of privilege, has utterly undone the Christian world, from this root of bitterness and pride, from this seed sprung up, the man of sin, as we have it in an anomalous author, namely, the Eletherians, page 4, in words to this purpose : " Then a little priest had an opportunity to establish himself; then there ap- peared in the temple of God that anti-Christ, who calls himself the vicar of Christ." And then the same author going on to discover the original of this monstrous birth, he says thus : " Anti-Christ was con- ceived in, by, and from certain affectations of eccle- siastical preeminences." As though he should say, the first spawn or embryo of that insolent Hector, or aspiring Nimrod (who first robbed the laity of their Ch ristian liber ties, and then hunted down the poten- tates of the world, and brought them as a rich spoil into his habitation of violence), took its commence- ment from this principle, namely, from the clergy's assuming to themselves this ecclesiastical preemi- nence, namely: first, their obtaining an exemption from the cognizance of the churches for the crimes, and then in possessing themselves of the sole and absolute jurisdiction (by a despotic government) over the churches themselves. Bat however things have been hitherto, I shall no longer uphold the debate by revising the abuses that have been done to the Christian churches by an am- bitious clergy in the ages past, which might more 170 THE CHUECHES' QUAKRBL ESPOUSED. amply be discovered by tracing the footsteps of the great apostasy ; but I shall end the whole dispute on this head by drawing up a protest, and denying the jurisdiction of the court, erected and opened by the proposals, as being perfectly disagreeing and repug- nant to our former settlements and present constitu- tion. SECTION IV. That the candidates of the ministry undergo a due trial by some or .otner oi the associ ation, concernir ig their qualification for the evangelical mini stry ; and that no particular pastor or congregation employ any one in occasional preaching who has not been recom- mended by a testimonial under the hands of some association. Answ. To monopolize (in the great articles o f trade) some very rich species, and of su f h i.irp fnr ihf> good of kingdoms that they must needs perish with- ou t it, or be greatly injured by excessi ve sa1e=!, is accounted by goo d commonwealth's men intolera ble ; for such men or companies so invested can, with Jo- seph in Pharaoh's court, buy and sell a country at their own prices ; even so, when these churches have delivered up the right in their candidates to the classes, they may then go a begging to their doors for the ministers, and be contented to take what they are pleased to put off, and at their own lay. Obj. But you may object, Eoijomni liffno, no n Jit Mercurius. Therefore the j udicious must determine and set their mark upon what is merchantable, and ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 171 throw by what is refuse ware, or else there may be great damage done for want of caution. And thus we_come_to_the_.plaija_ point in_hand,jwhieh is to be debated by disputing this £ufis±iQii, namely : Ques. Whether a trial by association is preferable to the^ old cu stom of the xhurches,Tn promoticg their candidates for the ministry to public trust ? Answ. In the reply, I shall first consider our candi- dates Linder trial, as to their qualification ; and sec- ondly, implead the proposal on a just prejudice from the corruption of the clergy. Fir st. We may consider our candidates under t rial as to their qualifications. 1. As to their huma n learning; qpH I^pvp wp qVignlntply nVijpn^: against ^\\p tri al of associations, as bootless. up plpgR, anri pprilnng, both to them and to us. (1) As to the association, it is no diminution or trespass upon the laws of honor or truth to affirm, " That the settled ministry in general (with some rea- sonable exception) is less expert in grammar and points of philosophy, than our learned children are at the degree ot junior bachelors,''' and that from disuse, proved from all experience, Nam usus promotos facit ; and also for the sake of more divine studies, which crowd out those first ideas a great pace, according to that observation on a learned memory. Imago iniagi- nem expellit, aliisque, alice succedunt, for as one wave thrusts out another, so one idea another. Therefore it is pity to expose such venerable persons to the hazard in this service, lest when they become posers of others, they should be posed themselves. I do remember an odd story when I was at college ; it was retained as a reproach on a very divine and worthy 172 THE churches' quaekel espoused. person. Though he was bred in England, a good scholar, and also had been a schoolmaster, and had taught the grammar in his young times, but yet hav- ing laid by in a great measure the use of such things for the sake of more valuable and heavenly specula- tions, being at the solstice, and one of the corporation ventured in the hall to propose this question to one of the commencers : Quot sunt Csela? To which the lad, with sauciness enough, yet with a grammatical niceness, only answered, Sed audi. Mascula duntaxat calos vacitabis et Argos : That prisians head will in likelihood be kept bleed- ing from one generation to another, by reason of some unlucky strokes, if this form be established, and that to the great detriment of those who strike the blows. 2. To us. Aca demical learning we profess to be a very essential accomplishment in the gospe l ministr y. It is introduced by the ordinary blessing of God upon human endeavors, to supply the place of the cloven tongues, and those other miraculous gifts and endowments of mind impressed upon Christ's ambassadors, whereby fishermen commence {per saltum) doctors of divinity, and in an instant were stocked with such principles of religion, reason, and philosophy, that they were capable to dispute with Athens itself, and baffle the greatest wits she could produce, in defence and for the advancement of Christ's kingdom, Acts 17 : 18. ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 173 Thus it is very reasonable that the churches should be well assured of the sufficiency of the learning of those persons, ere they presume on the ministry ; yet there is a fairer way in view, fuller of honor and safety, than what the proposal directs to. Our academy is the store-house of learning, and this all man kind will assent to . When you have lost the company of the muses, there they are found in their freeholds, where they hold the balance of honor amongst the learned. This is the place, if not of the goddess Minerva or Apollo, yet the Bethel or temple of God himself; the God of wisdom, where he, as chief architect, with his under workmen, form wise and learned men, and where you may have them wrought off at first hand. Then certainly here we are to secure our credulity and confidence in this af- fair ; here we are to know whether they be of the right stamp, yea or no. That of ail men living, the best and most infallible standard for the philosophical accomplishments of our candidates, is the judgment of the honorable president, and noble fellows of our famous college ; for this I am sure must needs stand for a verity, that the judgment of a real honest and skilful artificer (keeping close to his shop) concerning the nature and qualities of an edge-tool which he hath wrought and hammered on his own anvil, out of its first rude mat- ter, must certainly excel him that hath been long from the trade, that only takes it, turns and tries the edge slightly, or has but a transient view of it ; so that hence we may fairly infer, that (as to human learning) Harvard's Commendamus is most valuable and sufficient, and justly supplants these testimonials. 174 THE churches' quarrel espoused. 2. With respect to the more evangelical qualifi ca- ti ons of the gospel ministry, we shall be read y to h onor the sufficiency of the associates, yet must ta ke li berty to object a f ew things. (1 ) Suppose we, thatlhe trial is made per co n- tionem ad clerum, by preaching a sermo n, in audience of the association, and I think this is the way pro- posed and generally agreed upon, as the square or rule most agreeable with Gunter, to take the dimen- sions, length, and breadth of our candidates by. Reply 1. What can a sermon do at deciding th is question'.' for that the most sensible and valuable, who are usually most humble and tender, are liable by this stupendous examination, to be baffled by their own temerity, and quite dashed out of counte- nance by their own fear. Alas ! upon their first en- trance upon the stage, to appear in so august and awful a presence, this must needs disanimate and put their thoughts into a ruffle, as having in their affi'ighted minds the resemblance of their going into the Spanish inquisition, rather than dwelling amongst the softer measures of the gospel. Luther himself (that unparalleled instance of spirit and magnanim- ity, as_.L3»Jai£U3iber^gf_Kis3ife) hardly ever got o ver s omething of a panic fear attending him through th e course of his ministry ; and, indeed, men of the quick- est senses are most liable to these paroxysms. Then surely to put our tyros to this test, which may daunt and dispirit the greatest hero, is noways proportion- able, especially seeing they may under the inspection of learned, honest, and judicious men, both pastors and churches, and thereby under covert of more pri- vate invitations (with all their natural fear) creep into ANSWER TO THE EOREGOING PROPOSALS. 175 this noble work, and keeping on as their courage and strength will bear the journey, may, gradatim, attain a just and sufficient probation, as our learned youth have hitherto done. Indeed, the bold and brazen who can make a greater figure with half the stock, by many shirking tricks and dissembfing artifices, defended and sup- ported with confidence and delivery, may obtain the euge juvenis, that they noways deserve, as will be found when they come to be detected by a more dil- atory search, or a more tedious analysis made of them. That, to conclude, as the proverb is, Una hirundo non facit ver, — one swallow makes not the spring. So in this trial, one good or mean sermon cannot determine the man, or umpire his case. (2) Suppose the trial must be mad e and the qu es- tion determined by a person's conversation. ^And this is a very great article in the state of all service a- ble jnen, and especially in the mini stry. (1 Tim. 4: 12. 1 Pet. 5 : 3.) Being en samples to the flock. Then certainly a more intimate converse and society is a very invincible plea. By the laws and customs of England, the vicinage must be allowed, as afford- ing the most competent judges, when persons' repu- tation lies at stake in criminal cases, because they are presumed to know somewhat considerable of persons and cases of their own knowledge ; and so more capable of giving a just verdict. So in the case, what do those persons know pf our learned youth who make up the association? Our candi- dates appear on a certain day as blazing stars once in an age, and are gazed on, and then they vanish. Now what judgment can be made on a man's con- 176 THE churches' quarrel espoused. versation by such a transient view ? unless they must be handled in this consistory as persons that have been bound to the peace, and in open court are to be delivered from their recognizance by three outcries ? (3) Suppose the whole stock of ministerial qu ali- fica tions" must be inquired into, and judsmentln ust pass by the direct ion of the apostolic law. (1 Tim. 3 : 2. Tit. 1 : 6, 9.) Let them be blameless, sober, apt to teach, etc., and add what more you please, which the Scripture mentions, to fill up the character of an evangelical minister, to complete him in all his gifts and graces, either in his beginnings or in his riper state ; and it is most apparent that our particu- lar pastors and churches, with the learning, experi- ence, grace, wisdom, and discretion they are owners of, can make a more upright, judicious, and solid trial, and give better account of our candidates from their frequent converse with them, and their occa- sional and repeated preaching amongst them than the wisest association in the world can do ; and it is easier dissembling with the latter than the former, unless the association will take them home and both winter and summer them. Now, then, considering that their degrees with the express testimony of the college (when particularly desired) are sufficient testimonials of their learning ; and the experience of their other good gifts and min- isterial qualifications, obtained by converse and their occasional preaching, has been the chief test and trial for our candidates; and by these methods they have been approbated in order to settlement in office- trust ; and this has been the custom of the country and churches for near fourscore years. Wherefore ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 177 to conclude this argument, I make this proclamation, That if any person or persons disaffected with our"" old settlements and way in church conduct, will pro- duce one example led into the public ministry by this ;> practice, which has justly offended him, and he will \ or can evince this to be the blamable cause, we will ? then surrender the custom to your mercy. Secondly. I shall now implead the proposal on a j ust prejudice or presumption of corruption in the cl ergy, though we are in charity for the present, yet in this way proposed, we have no assurance for the fu ture against the corruptness of such societie s ; and let any sober man observe, and he will find abun- dance of poor tools under the mark of the office, where these measures and such like are in force and form. How oft is it repeated that poor, sordid, de- bauched wretches are put into holy orders, when as they were fitter to be put into the stocks or sent to bridewell for madmen, than to be sent with their testimonials, to work in Christ's vineyard? How long have the Indies, the seas, the provinces, and many other parts of the empire groaned under this damnable way of cheating God of his glory, and the world of salvation ? Si mony we know began almost as early as the Christian church, and has prevailed amongst clergy- men to a prodigy. The sacred things of God's house have been a trade and merchandise which has beg- gared churches, and filled the clergy in some king- doms with a sacrilegious and exorbitant pile of wealth, and the world with a flood of debauchees ; and this proposal puts us into the way to open the shop windows again, and expose the same wares to 12 178 THE churches' quarrel espoused. sale upon a little indulgence in our country ; for who can render a reason that the same opportunities, the same temptations, the same corruptions, the same nature, and the same power, would not produce the same effects ? or that the same climate, seed, ground, and manner of culture, should not yield the same grain at harvest ? And what have we in pledge for our security, more than the tallacy and fickleness of human nature, when t he power is delivered out of our hand s ? Obj. You may object, that our candidates, through their own ambition, and the indulgence of particular pastors, thrust themselves into the work too young, and this our way will prescribe due boundaries to them ? Ansiv. 1. In general, Paul solves a worse case, than can be found (pick whilst you are weary for an example to quadrate with the objection, and render it forcible) amongst all our learned youth, who have hitherto ventured upon the ministry. (Phil. 1 : 18.) What then? etc., as though he should say, " What's that to you sir ? " if Christ be preached, all is well. And as to our case, we may say. Despise not the day of small things, all men must have a beginning, and every bird which is pretty well fledged must begin to fly. And ours are not of the nest where Icarus was hatched, whose feathers were only glued on; but these belong to the angelic host, and their wings grow out from their essence; therefore you may allow them, with the lark, now and then to dart heavenward, though the shell or down be scarce off from their heads. And so we conclude with our charitable and divine apostle. " What then ! if ANSWER TO THE FOREGOINa PROPOSALS. 179 Christ be preached, whether in pretence, or in truth, either by old or by young, yet therein we do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice, etc.," to see our own Nazarites, so forward and well-disposed, it shall add to our joy, anjl^jioways increase our honor, unless our,.aaibition s hould surpris e us with.^ear, that such young st ars s hould outshine u s. 2. In particular, where will you fix the quando, and settle the precise era, or period of time, for their beginning? (1) There is no college or statute law yet enacted, to decide this question : then of necessity you must do homage to long and laudable cugtom, as to a superior authority, and honorable ruler; and where that fixes the time, you must submit; for custom, when full of days, and of noble examples, becomes the common law of a nation ; and is as sovereign and pleadable, as the dictates of a parliamentary power; at least it shelters from rebukes and cal- umny : that for any gentleman to affront, talk high and frown at the early zeal and beginnings of our candidates, is but too much in imitation of the Great Mogul of India, who after he hath dined, orders his trumpets to be blown, to signify to the princes of the earth, that they have liberty now to go to dinner; and when he hath finished his formalities, if they please, they may veil their royal bonnets, and thank him for nothing ; " for where there is no law, there is no transgression." (2) Under the gospel, we have no precise time, though there was under the law, when to begin and enter into the ministry, the gospel knows no bar from time, where persons are otherways meetly qualified. 180 THE churches' quaruel espoused. Days and qualifications, are divers things, and the latter are the essentials of a minister of Christ. It is \ not, how old, but how capable a person is, which is the main point to be inquired after here. Therefore where (in some good measure) there is an honest life, a gracious heart, an orthodox head, and a learned tongue, there is no reason to send such youths to Jericho, with David's messengers (though their beards are not yet grown), to wait upon time and nature, for such an accomplishment ; for certainly those recited are the principal in the argument. It is a story in the history of Persia, " That when the Grecians sent some very young noblemen upon an embassage to that court, the Persians reflected upon the Grecian republic, for sending beardless boys on so grave a message to so mighty a monarch." To which the young Grecians very smartly answered, " That if state policy did consist in beards, then he-goats would do for embassadors, as well or better than men." I must confess, I am somewhat of their mind ; and therefore I think it is not, how long men have lived, but how wise they are grown : God hath ordained praise out of the mouths of babes. Jere- miah pleads, he was a child, but that cannot nuU his commission for the ministry, Jer. 1 : 6. Paul guards the ministry of young Timothy, by heaven's author- ity, to defend him from censure, for audaciousness. What! for a child to teach old men their duty! Hold ! says Paul, 1 Tim. 4 : 12, " Let no man de- spise thy youth." What, shall not our Lord illus- trate his grace and power in what examples he pleases ? Has he not formed all the powers of nature ? and does he not furnish them with their dis- tinct virtues, etc. ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 181 O bj. But you may say, days are full of wisd om, an d youth of ijornoran ce in the great affairs of salva- tion. A nsw. Not always and universally so ; as in the examples just now recited, and in many others that may be named, called in at the third and sixth hour. Matt. XX. But, however, if our candidates must never begin till they are without ignorance, or not till they have gained all points {ad unguem) in the vast studies of divinity, then it may be said of all our ministers, as Queen Elizabeth was wont to say of bishops, when she visited the schools (study hard children, study hard, for) bishops are old men. So, of necessity, all our ministers must be very old men. But I think that is more agreeable with our necessity and state, both in nature and grace, which one of the ancients was wont to say of himself, namely, that whilst he studied to teach other men, he learned himself. That considering theology, as well as art, is a long study, and life is very short, why may they not begin young? And also, considering that our churches are noways over cluttered with candidates, there is no need to serve them as Christ did the money-changers, who, with a whip of small cords, drove them out of the temple ; and especially they having hitherto acquitted themselves in the main as men that need not be ashamed, and yet never any one of them, to this day, has been represented as learned or virtuous, or any way supported by these testimonials. 182 THE churches' quakrel espoused. SECTION V. T hat they together be consulted by ber eaved churche s, to recommend to them such pers ons as may be fit to be employed amongst them, for present supply, from whom they may in due time proceed to choose a pastor. Answ. According to my apprehension, this pro- pqsali nsults very daringly over the churches in two things. 1. By engrossing the ri ght of jurisdiction, not only over the visible freedom and liberties, but conju gal and sec ret powers of Christ's virgin and wido w churches. That it seems to me very advisable (if this proposal may stand for a sound precept) that forthwith another office be erected, and put into the hands and under the government of a few men, exactly skilled in physiognomy, and deeply studied in the sympathies and antipathies of human nature, with an absolute superintending power to control and direct all wooers in their choice for the marriage bed ; for that there is many a fond lover who has betrayed the glory of wedlock, by making an unwise and unfortunate choice ; and why may not particular beds be overruled, as well as particular churches? both being for the good and service of mankind, and for that both parties, husband and wife, pastor and church, by our sort of government, are bound for terra of life, or so long as both shall live. Indeed, were our constitution in church order under the superintendency of a patron, or a lord bishop, who can send [pro tempore) a curate, etc., and then recall ANSWER TO THE FOREGOIlyG PROPOSALS. 183 him, and place another in his stead, the project might be very advisable ; but seeing these churches are Set- tled congregational, and by their principles, the ordi- nation is, as it were, the nuptials, or marriage day of two lovers, that nothing but death, or a bill of divorce (for betraying the glory of the union) can part; it is then good and reasonable, that they be left to choose as they best affect, and not forcibly be tied up to a kind of Hobson's choice, one of these or none. Thisapparently puts to^TTard upon the churches' liberties, and overthrows the government ; for that our platform, in Chap. II., treating of the nature of the churches, asserts, sect. 5, that the state of the visible church since the coming of Christ, is only congregational ; therefore neither national, provincial, nor classical; then what does this pro- posal do here ? Also, our platform asserts the free electing power of the churches. Chap. V. In these words, ordinary church power is that of privilege, such as belong to the brotherhood, whereby they design persons unto office. So also in Chap. X. In these words, the power granted by Christ unto the body of the church and brotherhood is a prerogative or privilege which the church doth exercise in the admission of her own members, and in choosing their own ofHcers. Now" if Christ has given these high powers and authorities to his churches, he has certainly furnished them with skill and wisdom to manage them. So we come to the second part nf the affron t in this proposal, and that is, ^T Byits making a plain presumption of inc a- pacity in the churches of doing their own proper 184 THE churches' quaerel espoused. wo rk without their grace's help. It is as much as to say, Alas ! alas ! It is well known that the churches are generally a sort of plain men, little skilled in deep matters ; that there is apparent danger, if left in their elections to their own conduct, of introducing very illiterate persons and doleful creatures, to preach in the temple of God as officers there. Now this is much agreeing with the old arguments against the laity, who were described by the learned to be with- out the knowledge of the original languages, and other parts of polite learning, and so noways fit to interpret Scripture ; therefore, it is very rationally enacted, that the Bible be taken from them, least they should study heresy and not holiness out of that divine book. But to pass by all such pleas, I shall come to the main point in plain terms, and that is this, our platform is our settlementj_and it has se- cured to the churches these prerogatives, and they are part of their entailed inheritance ; and it is a vain thing to pretend to plead the incapacity of right owners and rich proprietors, especially whilst there is a competent set of senses left them. Indeed, when any gentleman can show any precept, and produce a commission for the taking into their hands the estate of idiot-churches, they may then cite their intel- lectuals to a proper bar, and verdict going against any particular example, they then, ipso facto, become guardians, and may enter into their worship. But in the mean time, as to our own churches, and the whole constellations of them, and every individual or particular church amongst them remains compos mentis, and therefore must not be intrigued by such offers as these are. ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 185 But yet before I close this argument, I shall a little further humor the presumption of insufRciency here laid down ; and therefore I shall desire, that a survey be made of the state of the churches, and if their free election be found for this thirty years last past (and' we will go no higher), have by the major part of voices introduced insufficient officers, then let the platform be annulled and the proposal stand as a more valid canon. And in this inquiry we would know, whether the dictators will give leave (in drawing up the catalogue of defective elections), that they themselves be put on the back of the title- page, and there stand as the errata of our old govern- ment? Or whether they themselves are the only exceptions ? But suppose, when we have accomplished our search, we find their own and all other elections for the main have hit right ; and if so, then whether we ought not to pay a veneration to the practice, as hav- ing more of Christ in it than we can in the rufflings of ambition presently find out or perceive ? And whether after such long experience and good success, it may not be our wisdom to keep this via trila, which we have found to be via tula, that is to say, keep the good old way of our blessed predecessors, lest going into a new and untrodden path, we fall into some ambuscade, and come off" with broken bones and ruined churches ? Quicquid prsBcipIti via. Certum deserit ordinem Lsetos nou habit exitus. Boetius. Rashly to leave the plain and good old way Turns into mournful night, a joyful day. 186 THE churches' quarkbl espoused. SECTION VI. That hereunto may be referred the direction of proceeding in any o± their particular cnurches, about the" convening of the councils, that shall be tnoiJght necessary for the welfare of the churches. Aasiaer-. Query, who must give the direction, a nd judge what councils are necessary for the welfare of the ch urches ? Ansive r. The associa tion. Reply. 1 thought as much ; for the sole and whole power IS, by these proposals, resigned to them as their indisputable and undoubted right, insomuch that their beneplacita, the elicit and free resolves of their will, shall and must be the absolute and uncon- trollable rule of conduct ; that is to say, the churches are to be in vassalage, and the association is to rule all by prerogative ; jso that forever henceforward, we may inscribe acro'ss the door of the conclave (to no- tify the rule of the house) that imperial law, Sic volo, sit jubeo, stat pro ratione voluntas. We will and doom, none now can us withstand; Our will is reason ; for the churches in the land. Indeed, when great men turn beggars for small booties, with the famous General Baziliareous, it- signifies the ebb of fortune runs low with them ; but when they ask an ancient inheritance upon gift, it signifies either the donor to be in a languishing pos- ture, and that his estate is like to escheat (to revert) to the crown, through failure of natural heirs, or else great boldness in the beggars. But what should be ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 187 the meaning of this demand who can divine ? I hope they do not reckon the churches to be making their last will, and design them for their heirs. The churches in New England are fairly possessed of this high prerogative, namely, of convening coun- cils necessary for their own well being ; they are also as likely to continue as they were forty years ago, unless their own pastors should betray them. And they are also as capable of managing all instruments devolved upon them by Christ, as they were in the days of their youth. Then what can we make of this contrivement, namely, when the churches shall have occasion to seek relief by council (as sometimes the emperor has been confined at the insolent threshold of his holiness, and upon his coming forth in his infallibility, this pile of temporal glory has been his horseblock, and so here) they must humbly wait at the door of the association till they shall be informed. When, what, who, and where they shall have one. But not to interrupt the world with long stories, we must again here demur upon title. Se ction. That the several associations in the coun- try maintain a due correspondence with one anothe r. An swer. If the P latonic notion conc erning the uni - versal so ul of the worl d or spirit o f nature (whereby one body is affected by the operations of another at so me considerable distance), were established for a n infalli ble theorem, and these societies conld circulate th eir intelligence by the power and echoes of h is mighty essence, the design might then be practic a- ble ; or had we in all corners of our country dov es trained up to carry mails or packets of letters from country to country, there might be some hopes for 188 THE churches' quarrel espoused. supporting this mighty correspondence ; but to do it wholly by human means, the charge plainly threatens to eat out the profit. A But we may suppose the seat of these things shall be universally settled, fully abutting upon the post- road, and what a mighty business is a sixpenny or fourpenny letter in such a good cause ? Nay, indeed that is no great matter in itself, yet these sixpennys or fourpennys are like the sand on the sea-shore, a great many of them put together grow very heavy, especially where wife and children are to be main- tained upon 70 or ,£80 income per annum. Wise men may do as they please, yet for my part I can see no good policy in the proposal, unless you can court some rich potentate to espouse the cause, and sacrifice annually some part of his royal revenue to support the phantasy. Se ction. So that th e state of religion may be the better known and secured in all the churches?' Ansiver. .ReiJgion i n its intalUble origfnak the w is- d om and authority of G od ! In its infinite object, the ineffable persons and perfections of the divine es- sence ; in its means, the gospel of salvation; in its inspired, wakeful, and capacious ministry ; in its subject, the inestimable immortal soul of man ; in its transcendent effects. (1) In time, the charming peace and joys of conscience. (2) In eternity, the joyful retreat and shouts of glory, is the most incom- parable gift of Paladium, which ever came from heaven ; amongst all the favors of the father of lights there is none parallel with this ; when disclosed in its beauty it ravisheth all the intellects of the uni- verse, and challenge may be made, that the preroga- ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 189 tives and glory belonging to all the crowned heads in the world, do bow and wait upon its processions through the eartli, to guard it from its innumerable and inveterate enemies. Yet in paying our venera- tion and attendance we must distinguish right, and place every thing properly, and the means must be proportionate with the end and agreeable in their natures ; or otherwise whilst we go about to accom- plish a good end, namely, the security of religion by improper means, we may lose our attempt and have no thanks but be blamed for our pains, for we m ust not do evil that good^rnay come. _ It is certain that the church of Christ is the pillar of truth, or sacred recluse and peculiar asylum of religion, and this sacred guest, religion, which came in the world's infancy from heaven to gratify the soli- tudes of miserable man when God had left him, hath long kept house with us in this land, to sweeten our wilderness state, and the renowned churches here are her sacred palaces. Then certainly it is not fair for her lovers, under pretence of maintaining her wel- come in greater state, to desolate her pleasing habita- tions, though they stand somewhat low like the myr- tle grove, Zech. 1 : 8, etc. Section. And particularly it is thought necessary to the well-being of these churches, that all the associa- tions in the country meet toget her, by their respective delegates, onc e in a yea r. Ans w. This is a great thesis, and whoever wasthe father, the womb o f it is very fertile, and big with art icles of mom ent; it compre hends a large territory, and a great treasure, w e m ust therefore survey it by co usinography, and then nextly by the laws of th e church stock. 190 THE churches' QUARREL ESPOUSED. 1. The country contained in this proposal, by a just consequence, and from the nature of the design, must extend so far as we can find any gospel churches planted or to be planted within the English dominion on the firm land or continent of America; t here is no restriction made to exclude an y, and charity is a grace that would have every one virtuous, and equally privileged with means for that end; so that we may begin our lines of latitude in the south, somewhat northward of the capes of Florid a, and the n extend them to the north to some p arts of Nova Scotia, if not to the bay of St. Law rence, and from th ose points on to the At lantic ; we must stretch our lines over-thwart, keeping equal longitudes, till we meet with other princes' dominions. Now this is a noble territory, enough for an empire, and all English ; and why may we not be thus exten- sive for the good of the churches therein planted? Other countries have sent their delegates near as far as this comes to, namely, upon the conventions of his holiness. But the mischief is, the__revenu,e_wi]l_ftot hol d out. But I have thought of one way, and that will do if we can but obtain, though I acknowledge it is somewhat chimerical or whimsical; yet though it be, the proposal has no reason to repine or find fault, for that it is its near kinsman. The project is this, namely : Upon the great settle- ments which we hope for between the two crowns, I advise that petitions be made (if the articles of settle- ment will allow it) that either the rents of Toledo, or some good stout gold mine in Peru, be reserved wholly to the use of this design, and if you are pleased to keep or settle within narrower limits ANSWER TO THE FOKEGOINS PROPOSALS. 191 (when we know your territory), we can, by rules of proportion and subtraction, compute the charge, and if there be any overplus when your own charges are defrayed, the rest may be assigned to the next prov- ince for such good uses. But, however, let the peti- tions go forward, for you will have want enough of your share; for I am sure your present supplies are not full enough for your daily bread, and these con- tingent and unexpected charges, especially seeing they were never thought of, or provided for, in your first settlements. SECTION VIlI And finally, that ministers disposed to associate endeavor, in the most efficacious manner they can, to prevail with such nainist ers as unreasonably neglect s uch meetings with their brethren in their proper associations, that they would not expose themselves to the inconveniences that such neglects cannot but be attended withal. Ansiver. This proposal seems to be founded upon th e Epicurean doctrine of atoms ; tor by the scheme w hich atheistica l atomists give concerning the begin- nin g of the world, by their account it was after this lucky manner, that is to say, there was before time a vast pile of incoherent atoms, which globically hun g sle eping upon a centre-atom, without the least grain of sense, through the vast eternit y, a parte a nte ; but at l ast) and nobody can tell how, they were inclined to throw off" their present posture, but being neither 192 THE churches' QUARREL ESPOUSED. of one form, inclination, nor propension, quickly great heaving and shuffling (from various sympathies and antipathies) began to be amongst them, that a chaos is presently rolled together, and in a little time this magn ificent and curious w orld which you look upon c ame out of the horrid wom b of this distracted heap of atoms, and that without any help from a creating power, but by a wonderful good chance. Thus far you have the doctrine of atoms, which I could not well avoid, because of so much noble matter preexist- ing, and represented in various shapes and forms, with a sound of motion, and various sympathies and antipathies appearing and represented by the pro- posal, but yet can hear of no superintending fiat, or any creating voice to overrule or say, " Let it be." But only if persons are disposed, or i ndisposed , the b usiness must be managed as wisely as you ca n ; and if it should so chance that some fine thing (never be- fore seen in the country) should be made out of these materials, without the help of a creating power, the world would be a great debtor to the accident; and the churches, may they not be justly stripped of their being to make room for it, and maintain it ? | But to be more distinct and somewhat more close in my answer, i must remind you that our blessed Lord commands us to pray. Matt, vi., " Our father which art in heaven," etc. ; " Lead us not into temp- tation, but deliver us from evil." And if sincere, he hath promised to stablish us, and keep us from evil, 2 Thess. 3 : 3. From these divine principles, the question is, whether those pastors are the stable or unstable, the reasoriable or unreasonable me n, name- ly, either those who have promoted this design in ANSWER TO THE FOKEGOING PROPOSALS. 193 the country, or those who have withstood it ? And also where has temptation prevailed most ? And to put this debate under a brighter light, I will mak e bo ld to recite a brief history of this matter, till w e br ing you to the nativity of these proposals , and to the day wherein they were born, with some present improvement of the history. About thirty years ago, more or less, there was no a ppearance of the associations of pastors in these col onies, and in some parts and p laces there is none yet. B ut after the country had suffered much in the slaught ers and depredations committed by the h ea- th en, and by many other afflictions, the neighbori ng mi nisters in some counties met to pray together, etc., a nd for no other intent that I ev er knew or heard of. But after they had continued their meetings for s ome y ears, and others, following the example, began to c onverse together and commu nicate cases, as ^est su ited each person ; and at last, perceiving they we re almost gotten into a classical form before they thought of it, they began to give their meetings the speci ous titl es of classes, associations, and ecclesiastical con- ve ntions, etc., as securely as though these titles w ere a fruit growing out of our own constitution, and by degrees began to dream that they were really, and de jure, what their new titles and late custom had made them only de facto, and time increased their inclina- tions and purposes to compass a more formal and complete settlement. It is c ertain their opportun ities were considerable, the keys of th e church trea sure being put into their hands. The more the main point is studied, the more glory ap pears to ^e d men's am- bition, like the impression by the eye on our great 13 194 THE churches' quarrel espoused. parents in paradise, Gen. 3 : 8. The tree was pleasant to the eyes, a tree to be desired. Alas ! alas ! empire and supreme rule is a glorious thing ! Par cere sub- jectis et debellare superbus, is a very royal business. Now this conceit did begin pretty much to predomi- nate, especially in some gentlemen that were inclined to presbyterian principles, men of worth and learning, who, improving their advantages of sense and influ- ence to intrigue others of a lower set of intellectuals, etc., brought the business so near to a conclusion as you find it in the last recited proposal, wherein you have the main of this history contained, like Homer's Iliad, in a nut-shell. Bu t to make short, and co n- clu de my story. "When they had thus far advanc ed an d ripened their design, out comes these propo sals, like Aaron's golden cal f, the fifth day of Novem ber, Fm. " ■ T hus you have a sh ort account how things have been carried on relating to associations ; and having a convenient crisis, I shall improve the hist ory, to promote my present design, in a few particulars. 1. By considering the present duty of our e rring pastors. 2. The justice to be done on these propos als. 3. Make some small astrological re marks relating t o the da te, which the clew of our history has brought us to. (1) As to the duty of such as are involved in the charge, whether or no (upon a presumption that this history be true) they ought not to cease exciting oth ers to wander from their proper po st, and ttiey themselves (if not by the open acts of the churches' authority, yet) by the good government of their own ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 195 wisdom, prudence, and grace, be remanded within their proper boundaries, and there continue as stars within their own orbs, to influence and act, tarn in modis quam in statis, quo prius, according to the for- mer usage, and the nature of their trust, and no more go beyond their own line. (2 Cor. 10 : 16.) (2) " Whether these proposals here offered to view ,' be not lilte Aaron's golden calf? And whether the y ought not to be served as Moses dealt with t hat, (Exod. 32: 20. ). when he took it and hnvnt it. in + hp^ fi re, and ground it to powd er ; for that it is very evi- dent, that though it be but a calf now, yet in time it^ may grow (being of a thrifty nature) to become a/ sturdy ox that will know no whoa, and it may be | past the church's skill then to subdue it. For if I am not much mistaken (and Pareus toe that great and terrible beast with seven heads and ten horns, described in Revelations xiii., was noth- ing else a few ages ago but just such another calf as this is. It was, indeed, finely shaped and of neat limbs, when it was first calved, insomuch that the great potentates of the earth were much ravished with its aspect and features ; some offered to suckle it on the choicest cows amongst all the herds of royal cattle (that it might be large), hoping to stock their own countries with the breed, and when it was grown to a considerable magnitude, to render it more shapely and fair, they put iron tips on its horns, and beset its stupendous bulk with very rich ornaments, that they might make it the more awing to all be- holders, and, if possible, by such artifices to add to the natural pride and choler of the creature. But alas, poor men ! they have paid dear for their 196 THE churches' quaruel espoused. prodigality and fondness ; for this very creature that was but a calf when they first began to feed it, is now grown to be such a mad, furious, and wild bull, that there is scarce a Christian monarch on earth, unless the great Anne, their Swedish and Prussian majesties, and their high mightinesses, with this ex- ception, there is scarce a potentate in the world, the best horseman or huntsman of them all, that dare take this beast by the horns when he begins to bounce and bellow. Indeed, the emperor within these few years has recovered so much courage, that he took him by the tail, to drive him out of his royal granges, being quite angry and weary with his cropping and brousing on the flowers of his imperial crown. But otherwise the beast generally goes at large and does what he will in all princes' dominions, and keeps them in awe. Therefore, to conclude, and infer, obsta principiis ! It is wisdom to nip such growths in the bud, and keep down by early slaughter such a breed of cattle. Nam omne malum nascens facile op- primitur. (3 ) In all the astrological remarks I have ma de, I fi nd its nativity full of favorable aspects to Engl ish chur ches. The fifth day of November has been as a guardia n angel to the most s acred interest of the e m- pje^ It has re scued the whole glory of church and state, from the most fatal arrest of hell and Rome. "TEat had 1 been of the cabal, or combination, which formed these proposals, so soon as I had seen and perceived the date (as I imagine), my heart with king David's, would have smote me, and I should have cried out. Miserere nostri Deus, — the good Lord have mercy upon us. This is the gunpowder- ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 197 treason day, and we are every man ruined, being run- ning Faux's fate ! Why, gentlemen ! have you for- got it? It is the day of the gunpowder-treason, and a fatal day to traitors. Our measures certainly intend the blowing up the churches, as Faux's did the parliament ; that for my own part, I have such an awe upon my mind of this very day, that I have made a settled resolution, that of all the days of the whole year, I will never eon- spire treason against my natural prince, nor mischief to the churches on the fifth day of November. And so farewell, gentlemen, for I dare not join with you in this conspiracy. PART II. SECTION I. T hat these associated pastors with a proper num- ber -ef--dd£ggies_fr£mtheir__j£terai--eh^ be fOTme d into a standing and stated council , which shall consult, a dvise, and d eterm ine all affairs that shall be proper matter for the consideration of an ec- clesiastical council within their respective limits, ex- cept always the cases are such as the associated pastors judge more convenient to fall under the cog- nizance of other council. Answer. See ing it is the first time we have i n th ese proposals heard of a standing council for these churches, and though the whole doctrine of it is not 198 THE churches' quarrel espoused. pr ecisely or ia terms contain ed in this section, yet t hat we may pass over w hat remains more briefly, when I come upon each following section, 1 will, t herefore, make a stop here, and discourse this sub- ject in its several distinct branches, and make but one work of it ; and I shall thus^methodize the busi- ness. 1. I shall observe the seeming favor to the lay del- egates here offered to them in this proposal. 2. Survey the nature of the coun cil. 3. Inquire into its original. 4. Take an account of the work which is assig ned it. 5. View the time appoint ed, certain and uncer- tain. 6. Inquire for the place where it is to meet. 7. And lastly, discourse its maintenanc e. _ 1. We must observe the seeming favor t he lay delegates or fraternity of the churches are treate d with in this prop osa l; for at the first tender, the y s eem very honorable to be invited into the associ a- t ion, as though they were to be established membe rs of this coun cil ; and were to be equal sharers in th e a uthority and government in it ; yet do but mind the con nection of bo th parts of the proposition, and~you wiljjind there is nothing of this nature intended for t hem. But only by a specious sho w, they are invited to establish the associations on their tottering basis, and that is soon done, if all parties are agreed ; and from the fraternity, there is no need of any more for- malities, than pa ying homage to their author ity by this a ct of submission and obedience here proposed; ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 199 and so soon as this is done, ynn shall find the fra - ter nity very fairly released at the door of t he sessions, ev ery man repairing to his own_ home" It is an ob- servation, on the m onarchy of bee s, that the drones formerly supposed to be not only a lumpish, but^a useless bee, yet it is of that nature, and so essential a member of that commonwealth, that it is really the male bee, and does impregnate the females, who are the sole laborers in that kingdom, but when that crisis is over, the poor drones are by common con - sent banished, as a great incumberm ent. So in our c ase, ala s ! what can be expected when the lay del e- ga tes have done the former job, but t hat they shall b e laid by, for their wisdom and capacity is nowa ys a dmired in these proposa ls. And it has always bee n found that the laity are a clog to clergymen whe n they begi n to soar aloft, or above their form er sphere ; and if you will but view the proposal again, in the hindermost part of it you will see a back door very artificially finished and left upon latch, for their exe- cution ; for though they are cal led to be members of the council m the first part of the proposal, yet b y exception made in the last part, they are to sit upon no case but what the associates plea se ; and seeing it is at their disposal, you may rationally and forcibly conclude, that those who have made it their business to unpin the whole tabernacle, and have but this chore to do, and then all is their own, will now finish their work with a wet finger, upon the aforesaid com- pliance. For you must note that after they have ad- mitted the brethren and viewed the certificates of election from the several churches, containing some congratulatory compliments, to honor the new con- 200 THE CHDECHES' QUARREL ESPOUSED. stitution and government, as is usual in all states, and having also treated the delegates with the civil- ities of the house, and also with a long and tedious harangue of the mighty blessing these new settle- ments plainly predict and promise the country, etc., the de legates are then advised, there is no case at prese nt depending fit for the ir cognizance, but what are u pon file, the associates have already conside red about it, and referred to some other council best known to their graces. And so, good brethren, you are now with many thanks for your obedient attendance, re- leased till latter laminas, or till the Greek calands come about. And here w e may dig a grave to bury all our an- cient privileges in, an d hang our harps upon the wi l- lows, and when we are thus wasted, should you call us in once more to sing one of the songs of Zion, all our notes must be elegie et de tristibus, yet the broken accents and lowly murmurs of our sorrow will serve for elahs and sweet diapasons, in your conquering song of triumph. 2. We must next survey the nature of the coun - cil, which cannot be sooner, and with better advan- tage (to represent the true idea of it to every man's understanding) than in a brief definition, thus, the council is to be standing and stated, to meet once in the year at the least, and at other times as each asso- j elation shall please to determine, to inquire into the condition of the churches, and advise such things as may be for the advantage of our holy religion. Thus you have the nature of it laid out in terms very concisely. But if a longer description, according to the genu- ANSWER TO THE FOREaOING PROPOSALS. 201 ine sense of expressions in the proposals, will better suit you, and give a better impression of its nature upon your thoughts, we may then describe it thus : I t is a council of human invention, stated and s ettled to convene on ce in the year, year ly, during the revolution of the heavenly bodies, and at other cer- tain times of the year, so as to keep its course pa r- a llel with our high and superior sessions of the peace , if the creators please ; and to consult, advise, and de termine all affairs wit hin the reach of ecclesiastical councils, and especially, etc. And thus, we being a people swimming in such plenty, that all our chargeable measures, both do- mestic in our private families and public in church and commonwealth, being not near sufficient to take off our waste and superfluous streams, and our riches and stores so plainly overloading us, we have here formed a creature that will help to sup up all, and feeding upon our full baskets, we shall find, that the further we go with jEsop's load the lighter we shall grow ; then who will not admire the wisdom of the invention ? 3. Our next task is to examine the origin al of this council, which inquiry may be resolved into this dis- junct proposition, namely, this council in the result of the will, obeying the understanding in its last dic- tates, erring or no t errin g. Th e question being thus state d, it is at every man's lib erty to take the part in the disjunction which "Bes t likes him. I suppose the proposal arrested and brought to trial will plead not erring, or not guilty, as is usual with all criminals when indicted ; and therefore, seeing you expect to be cleared by the jury, 202 THE CHDRCHES' QUARREL ESPOttSBD. you must give us an honest account who set you on work, and what rule you were guided by to assure us that your intellectual powers were free from error in forming this council, and we will give you room enough in your own defence. For, (1) If you can produce evidence from the c anon of Scriptu re in express terms, or by sound conse quence, and prove New England churches are obliged to form a standing and stated counci l, or that you a re to do it for them, etc., we will subm it. But no such canon can be found. The proposals then incur a heavy premunire for making so bold with a settled government, and no text to warrant the attempt. (2) Is it by any authority, derived from the ci vil gov ernment of the countr y, by law or practice, that this council is here erected ? 1st. By law , if there be any such law, you have liberty to plead it in your own defence. 2d. By practice, has the civil government ever set such an example ? Have they ever entrenched upon the privileges of the churches in the least degree ? And in their own orb, are they not more exemplary? Do not all men keep to commission ? Are they not curious in maintaining all settled forms, as the limits and boundaries of all men's actions and interests ? Nay, is not the exalted head of this body politic in his whole ministry, careful to steer all his actions by his commission, and the precept of law ? Is not the least error (though made by jealousy, and not found in reality) that looks but like an arbitrary action presently drawn into complaint, as a great grievance and common nuisance ? If it be but in dream that the exchequer appears touched, without a precept, or ANSWER TO THE FOKESOING PROPOSALS. 203 the wings of our civil liberties clipped, or so much as a feather be plucked from them, is not the country here and the court at home filled with complaints? "What means all this ? And yet must these churches, formed by principles of piety and honor, and under the steerage of a wise and just government, bear whole cart-loads of injuries, and have all their liber- ties violated ? And at last have a stated anti-christian arbitrary council, that can cut their throats for all the wise regulation that is in it, be thrust in upon them and both Scripture and the wise fathers of the com- monwealth, no patrons to it ? And what, must we swaUow all this ? This must needs be a very heavy meal to digest ? Ut opes et lamentabile regnum — eruerint ? They spoil our kingdom, and our courage dash, They take our wealth, and leave us nought but trash. 3d. Is there any certificate, order, or vote, from t he ch urches, as the womb of this council ? If there be, the proposals shall the n pass for the innocent mid\vire , and no harm shall c ome. But, alas ! If we search all ch urch records, t he pursuit is bl ank. Therefo re it m ust stand for a daring intrusion upon the church es' power of privilege. It is and will be acknowledged, with great justice and satisfaction, that the pastors of the churches are in a high station, as they represent the great shep- herd, and their trust is noble and great. They are rulers, and to conduct all transactions, etc., but yet must never infringe the churches' power of privilege in any branch of it ? It becomes the holiness, wis- dom, and honor of the ruling officers at a crisis when 204 THE CHtJEOHES' QUARREL ESPOUSED. the churches are in exercise of this power, not to allow themselves to dictate too imperiously. They must never, indeed, in all their ministration, talk with such an elevated language as in the third sec- tion of the second part, in these words, namely, that each church choose and depute one or more (private members) to attend their pastor in their stated ses- sion, etc., as though the high commission court was returned from exile and now opened, and some of your graces were to be lord chancellor. This plainly carrieth too high a crest. What ! to consider your- selves as a distinct estate from the churches, and to send out of your higher house your orders to be obeyed in the lower house, etc. ? But, I say, this is not right, for in concerning and calling of councils the churches are your superiors ; and upon a severe interpretation of their canons, they may, if they please, leave you at home. For though you have been elected once into office, yet in the exercise of this their power, you stand but competitors with other principal persons, for their choice and election, to determine you members of an ecclesiastical coun- cil. Possibly this doctrine may seem to be but a very crude dose. But yet I assure you, it is appro- bated by a college of very able and learned physi- cians ; and I hand it to you as I find it made up in the^churches' chest of medicines, Platform, chap. 16, sect. 2. The efficient cause of ecclesiastical councils, or synodical assemblies, next under Christ, is the power of the churches sending forth their elders and other messengers, etc., sect. 3 ; magistrates have power to call a synod, by calling to the churches to send forth their elders and messengers, etc., for the ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 205 constituting of a synod is a churcli act, sect. 6 ; be- cause none are or should be more fit to Itnow the state of the churches, nor to advise of ways, etc. Therefore it is fit, that in the choice of the messen- gers for such assemblies, they have special respect unto such, namely, elders. That certainly if you ex- pect your council shall escape condemnation, you must then produce the probatum est of the churches, or else it perishes under this trial. 4. Can you show any patent for the imperial chamber ot our mighty monarch, to take into your hands (that you m ay new model) these churches (the royal demesnes o f Christ Jesus, the prince of peace) as an esc heat to the crown ? Or have you commis- sion with instr uctions from thence to erect within th e province, such costly and formidable assemblies as are here projected ? Na y, if you can find or pick up amongst the old statutes, that are not quite worn out, or produce one venerable precep t or example thro ughou t the whole English empire, for the govern- ment of church or state therein ; we will state your case, and grant you one imparlance (with due time) if you can make any reasonable presumption, it may be had for your justification ; and in the mean time, I shall venture to recite a few principles of the Eng- lish government, that are like the vena cava, or great arteries in nature, which circulate the blood and spirits through the imperial body ; and if they do not all with a joint voice (like a jury in their return, where no man dissents), condemn your council and whole scheme, you shall still have a jail delivery and be set free. Principle I. There is no one of the three estates of 206 THE churches' quaerbl espoused. the empi re can make a valid act to bind the su bject, or institut e any new forms of gfove rnment. it is certain the Parliament, that supreme cour t, by an unite d voice, is very transcendent ; it makes nul l, en acts, and abrogates all laws, statutes, and ord i- n ances concerning matters ecclesiastical, civil, m ar- tial, maritime, etc. Therefore all acts, institutions, "Seations ot trustj corporations, and offices, either originally and immediately, or by a fair consequence, derive from this fountain the imperial crown, enriched with many prerogatives, and adorned with many ample flowers ; they were there planted by the cre- ating power of the nation, and no English monarch can at pleasure enlarge that garden with a new spe- cies. That to meet with such things as these now under debate within an English province, etc. Query. Whether they are enacted by single men, or small factions, or by the united voice of the king- dom? If not by the latter, they must die traitors to the empire, as transgressing against the essentials of its constitution, and liberty of conscience is no city of refuge here. Principl e II. All Englishmen are privileged by an d strictly bound to the law; that is the fruitful reason of all good, and rule of d uty. To be bound to the peace, or the good behavior, is to be bound to the law, that is every man's master and guide. Query. Whether these proposals, and this council, have not put a s light upon this domini on ? Principle ill. The vengeance or vindictive just ice of the nation tlames (in t he sanction of the law ) against all transgressors. "Every one that breaks the law breaks from the rule ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 207 of his duty and trust, and in a degree violates the power of th e nation, and usurps the whole legisl ation ; therefore, in the execution of these direful sanctions and penalties affixed to the statutes, the omnipotent power of the nation revenges the glory of its own independence and unaccountableness upon its inso- lent subjects, according to that. Gen. 2 : 17, " In the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die." There- fore I may say to this council, memento mori. Pri nciple IV. Every great person is under the aw e of the law, either as directive or coerci ve. It is the saying of those who are skilled in the law, that reg in regno sua, svperiores habet, detjm et le- gem ; the king has in his realm two superiors, God and the Law, though he is only uiider the directive ; but all his great subjects are under the coercive power of it. The nobles and great ministers in church and state look upon the law as the watchful eye of some direful numen. The superior clergymen, the great -, bishops of the kingdom, though they appear masters ,' of such prerogatives, yet they_haye nothing but what ; they deriye,_from the law ; and the laws are their boundaries, saying, " Hitherto ye shall go, and no fur- ther at your peril." That those great men might as well have undertaken with Archimides, to have re- moved the earthly globe (upon condition) as to have done such a thing as this. What ! to alter the con- stitution of church government, which is established by the statute and canon law of church and nation ? This is to blow up the kingdom; Ergo, put out your matches, and dissolve your trains. Principle V. ^11 Englishmen live a nd die by law s o f their own making. Tha t they are never pleas ed with upstart law-makers . 208 THE churches' quarrel espoused. ' Principle VI. That English government and law- is a charter-party settled by mutual compact between persons of all degrees inThe natioji, and no man^must start f rom Jt 3i hi s JgerilL_ ^ Query. Whether these proposals have kept to the articles of this great covenant ? L Princip leY 11. Englishmen hate an arbitrary power (politically considered) as they JSat£ the devil. For that they have, through immemorial ages, been the owners of very fair enfranchisements and liber- ties, that the sense, savor, or high esteem of them are (as it were) ex^rac?Mcej_transmitted with the elemen- i tal materials"ol~fHeir essence from generation to gen- ' eration, and so ingenate and mixed with their frame, that no artifice, craft, or force used, can root it out. Naturam expellas furca licet usque recurrit. And though many of their incautelous princes have en- deavored to null all their charter rights and immuni- ties, and aggrandize themselves in the servile state of the subjects, by setting up their own separate will for the great standard of government over the nations, yet they have all along paid dear for their attempts, both in the ruin of the nation, and in interrupting the increase of their own grandeur and their foreign set- tlements and conquests. H ad the late reigns, before the accession of the great William and Mary to the throne of England, b ut taken the measures of them, and her present ma - j esty, in depressing vice and advancing the union an d w ealth, and encouraging the prowess and bravery o f the nation, they mi ght by this time have been cap a- ble To have given laws to any monarch on ea rth ; but spending their time in the pursuit of an absolute ANSWER TO THE FOREGOINS PROPOSALS. 209 monarchy (contrary to the temper of the nation and the ancient constitution or the government) through all the meanders of state craft, it has apparently kept back the glory and damped all the most noble affairs of the nation. And when, under the midwifery of Machiavilian art and cunning of a daring prince, this monster, tyranny and arbitrary government, was at last just born, upon the holding up of a finger, or upon the least signal given, on the whole nation goes upon this hydra. _^he very name of an arbitrary government is ready to_put an Englishman's blood -into -a -fomentation ; but when it really comes and shakes its whip over their ears, and tells.Jherii it jstFeyr masfpv, ft malfps them stark mad ; and being of a mimical genius, and inclined to follow the court mode, they turn arbitrary too. That some writers, who have observed the govern- ments and humors of nations, thus distinguish the English. The emperor (they say) is the king of kings, the king of Spain is the king of men, the king of France the king of asses, and the king of England the king of devils ; for that the English nation can never be bridled and ridden by an arbitrary prince. Neither can any chains put on by despqtic and arbitrary measures hold these legions. That to conclude this plea, I find not amongst all the catalogues of heroes or worthy things in the English empire, peers to these undertakers; therefore we must needs range them with the arbitrary princes of the earth (such as the great Czar or Ottoman monarch), who have no other rule to govern by but their own will. And therefore, 14 ;/ 210 THE churches' QUARREL ESPOUSED. under this branch of our discourse and their arbitrary measures, I shall venture to annex the following the- ses, as c onclusions fairly d educed from the premises, and leave them to consideration. Thesis 1. They have out-kinged all kings on ear th whose prerogatives are bounded, and their kingdoms governed by law. Thesis 2. They have out-bishoped all the bis hops of Great Britain, whilst they themselves have acted with such lawless liberty, and left the bishops fettered in the statutes. Thesis 3. They have out-poped the pope himself, wh o is head of an hierarchy, supported by certain laws, acts, and ordinances, for the maintaining an harmony or union between head and members. So in the next place, 4. We come to survey the(worlt) cut out for thi s council. Catoj^that great and grave philosopher, did com- monly demand r^srhen Rnyjiew project was propound- ed unto him), [Qui bono? g>r what good was like to ensue ? Now inlhis present business, the definition pretends to make a satisfactory answer to such a question, namely, in the employment of this annual council; and that is to incLpire into the condition of the churches, and advise such things as may be for the advantage of our holy religion. Itisc ertain, considering the nature of the creatu re here forme d, there had need be some H erculean labor assigned. Those who are purveyors, and must provide quarters, will find it very chargeable, that it had need do very extraordinary business. As once King James the First said to a big-limbed country fellow who ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 211 came to court to be a porter ; some that knew him told the king how many bowls full and quarters of mutton he would eat at a meal ; says the king to the fellow, " You, sirrah, that eat so much more than other men, if you cannot do so much more work than other men, by my soul (says the king) I'll hang you." So here, there had need go a handsome stock of small cattle, and other expenses, to maintain one ses- sions ; that if it has confidence to meet, and is treated with an ordinary allowance, if it cannot do abun- dance of work, it will be waste charges and great incumberment. ^ Now, if this be all that is here proposed (in my opinion) the creators are very defective in their pro- portions ; for though the work mentioned is in itself good work ; but it is all done already to their hands, there is nothing o f this nature neglected in Ne w England churches ; at the le ast, no means or meth - ods wanted; but as God says, Jer. 5:4, " What could have "been done more for my vineyard, that I have not done in it:" may properly be applied to the churches here, and all for the advantage and good of our holy religion ; that, in a word, there is no want i n this country, unless it be the want o f good and honest hear^j^^aiid I suppose you have none oi those to bequeathe. Matt. 25 : 9. Upon the first view of this stupendous business, I was ready to fancy, whether or no you had dreamed of, or seen King Henry the Eighth coming with his old case and question, which involved the pope, his conclave, and all the academies in Europe, and whether you were getting a mighty casuist ready, to take the king's conscience into consideration ? Or, whether 212 THE churches' quarrel espoused. you had news of the old Arian war, its breaking out again, that you should in such haste (without citing other estates for the defence of the kingdom, but only by virtue of your prerogative), run up such a formi- dable and costly redoubt? But if it be all come to this, and there is no more to do ; than what every pious and wise man does every day, every week, and every session, it is even another fit or paroxysm of t he mountains bringing forth , as the poet says, Par- turiunt montes, &CC. Ci/ii^il ) But to humor what would seem serious in the pro- posal, I shall consider both parts of the work dis- tinctly. The first is, to inquire into the condition of the churches ? Answ. Now whether this precept, so full of sweat and servitude, ma y not vie it for merit, as equal in pains with any of the great prelates in Europe, in their laborious visitations ; who when they come into some capital town in the other part of their diocess, and being treated with the solemn formalities of sumptuous feasts by the nobility and gentry in the neighborhood, and having spent the biggest part of their pastoral visit in glutting themselves with honor and full tables ; at last begin the other part of their work, and inquire (possibly) how many parishes in this great town, and whether there be any chirur- geons, physicians, or schoolmasters, that do good to their neighbors without license ? Or, whether there be any new Golgothas to be dedicated, for the securer retreat of the dead to that place ? Or, whether the parish curates read service well, and observe to time their particular lessons, with the canonical days? ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 213 And, especially, whether the bells are kept in good order ? All which makes up a noble piece of service, to requite a crown or kingdom for the revenues of a barony ! And, whether it may be thought, that our great and yearly council, will come a whit behind the aforesaid ministry in the first or last part of ser- vice mentioned ? And whether if they do but equal them, we may not be thought to have made a wise settlement? But notwithstanding we shall grant, the proposal makes mention of a Christian duty ; for that it becomes all men who bear a love to Christ, to inquire into the state of his churches, both for the manifesting their love to men, and directing their prayers and gratitude to God. Therefore, (1) As t o their outward and tem poral state, we may inform ourselves, by virtue of neighborhood, by Christian travellers, and public letters of intelligence : and thus we may rationally, and with very good moral certainty know the state of the churches, both in other countries and our own ; and thus good Ne- hemiah informs himself at Shushan, how it fared with his brethren at Jerusalem, Neh. 1 : 2, 3. (2) As to their mo ral state (w hich consists in their professron, faith, manner of worship, discipline and conversation) this is discovered particularly, by their directories, confessions of faith, platforms, rubric, liturgies, and other canonical systems, made public for that end, etc. And considering, that whatever of this nature is necessary for the advance of religion, is well adjusted in this country, it must needs be but a vain repetition, or senseless tautology for a council to meet yearly or quarterly for this end, namely, to inquire what news, or whether New England's con- 214 THE CHDKCHBS' QUARREL ESPOUSED. fession of faith is the same this year, as it was last ? Or whether all the churches, their manner of wor- ship, is this sabbath as it was the other ? And as to their conversation (which may seem to lie most out of sight) sufficient provision made by the principles of our wise platform (for upholding the communion of churches) for our inquiry and information here also. And thus we come to the other part of this good work, namely, 2d. To advise such things as may be for the advan- tage of our holy religion. Answ. Query, whether or no there be no t pub- lished weekly from the oracles of God (and that with great soundness and zeal) more truth in a day th an all New England can practise in a long time after? And whether all the churches and the whole land are not honored and addressed, from week to week, in such measures by infallible truth, if not by infallible men ? Or whether or no thes e methods do no t d ivulge thewTJoTe mind of God to each plantat ion ? Or, whether these gentlemen have any secrets of wis- dom, not yet made known ? Or whether they intend to serve the churches, as some great philosophers and profound artists in medicine serve the world, namely, such who carry some great inestimable catholicon to the grave with them? And whether they will be thus hard-hearted in religion, as the other are in phi- losophy, unless we will gratify them with this piece of prodigality here exacted? I must acknowledge I have little patience towards these things, that under such a spacious show and pretence, such a direful catastrophe should be shrouded ! I must needs say, it is plainly some of Joab's friendship, when he spake ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 215 quietly and peaceably to Abner, smiled in his face, as his friend, but stabbed him to the heart, under the fifth rib, that he dropped and died. v But^ however, I shall endeavor, to rescue myself , from all impatience, and with deli beration sum up my answer, in a n "appearTo'y'our own r easons con- cerning those several created trusts, which God has established, and_clothed^ith his own.jjltllO every one of which is acted with great vigor, and success ; and whether you think you can do more than all these for religion ? Or prescribe something new which they never thought of. As First. Civil authority, in two great branches. (1) L egislativa_ pQJK£JC-4that...ci£il omnipotence) is doing ver y great things for rel iglQri,.by_tli£dx-yQela- malioB% and -all-penai laws-eaajitfii fQi_th£-cruahixig o^Jji» norali - ty "ft«d-TT:c^"mTd:'-all-tfa«ir-wise arid-exact precg.p±s-fbr the support o£ justica- and piety. They are opening many civil channels, whereby" they are conveying judgment, justice, and righteousness down our streets, from the great fountain. Nay, this great and dread assembly puts awe upon all mankind. And the more daring and desperate are kept within compass, from a sense of this most terrible seat of thunder hanging over their heads, and upon every affront ready to break in strokes of vengeance and woes upon them, especially if they grow beyond the reach of common law. And in ordinary cases. (2) The executive _power,-or-m.inisters of the law, ajejjjis_^^£tandmg__camp to awe, and_a_flyHig_arajy to beat off the enemy ; they have their spi es and scouts out in every quarter to observe his motions, and break his measures, namely in the innumera- 216 THE churches' qtjae,b,bl espoused. ble numbers of all sorts of civil officers ; and thus by the sword of justice they hunt down sin, and impiety in the land. They are a terror to evil men, and a praise to them that do well; for the civil authority, by their wise and just precepts, their personal and noble examples and zealous administrations, outdo Plato himself with all his moral reasons ; for they can turn a Sodom into a Sion, and keep Sion to be Sion evident by the history and chronicles of several governments of God's ancient people. Nam regis ad ezemplum toius componitur orbis. For chief rulers, by their good or bad measures, can make or mar, kill or cure a nation, in a moral sense. 2. The churches. V iew o nce more, from some lofty promonotory or P isgah, those goodly tents and tabernacles ot Israel ! Listen ! Is not God with them, and the shout of a king amongst them ? Are they not as valleys spread forth, and as gardens by the river's side, which the Lord hath planted ? And yet, notwithstanding, may we, must we under your conduct, break up their fences, to give them to another sort of culture? Nay, consider well ! Are not the flowers better wed, and the weeds more kept down, than in most of the enclosures in the world, belonging to the great hus- bandman ? And may you not (in reckoning up of means) allow us peculiarly to ascribe to their govern- ment, and other of their measures agreeing with the nature of it in dressing the ground ? But I will not enlarge this head ; it is obvious enough from their ministry, from their faith, their discipline and conver- sations. ANSWER TO THE FOEEGOING PROPOSALS. 217 3. The nurseries of learning. (1) The inferior sch ools, where the leaven is laid hid and kneaded in the soft dough ; et emollit mores, nee sinit esse f eras, etc. (2) The college (that artillery gardenfrorQ^'hence we receive our most exgert^soldifiJ^s-aL-Cbrist, and whence Christ's troops are supplied with chief com- manders, who lead on to storm the strongholds of the common enemy, and secure our great ally, religion), this is the seminary of learning and virtue, and the success is almost a miracle, unless for humiliation we must secrete the great grace and gifts of God which flow from that fountain, and are dispersed through the land. Query. Were a councU called of all the learned he ads of the whole universe, could they dictate be tter laws, and advise better measures for the acquirement of learning, the increase of virtue and good religion, than are in that royal province ? 4. The families of the country with their economy and family religion ; if we take a survey of the whole land we shall find religion placed in the body politic, as the soul in the body natural. Nam est totaanima, in toto corpore, et iota in qualibet parte, — that is, the whole soul is in the whole body, and whole in every part. That were any other part of the body organ- ized besides the head, it would be capable to exercise reason, etc. So religion is placed and exercised in its principles, vi3ues^attdgoverrrme»t-9— through the .faffijlies of the" country, somany families so many V little sanctuaries. __.„_____„. __, -r 218 THE churches' quarrel espoused. itsexcepti^s ; but under this caution I may affirm, there is no such spot of earth in the earthly globe so belabored with family devotion, reading God's word, catechizing and well-instructing youth with neat and virtuous examples, and divine prayers, non ex codice, sed ex corde, — not out of books, but ouf of hearts, the solemnizing sabbaths, and family attendance on public means as is' New Eng'^nd. And if so, then what need have'wie'OfTHTs late invention? Therefore to conclude, I shall, for my part, with the jealous Lacoon, enter a caution against taking down the sides of the city, or opening the walls of our Sion to let in this Trojan horse ; and let all Israel say, amen ! For, blessed be God, though we want to have our hearts renewed daily, but as for means, though we have no glut, we have plenty enough, and want no new institutions! — — ^ We come now to measure, and find out pe time] appointed for the council. 1. Certain, namely, once in the year, at the least, all the associations in the country, and according to the most plausible interpretation of the proposals, one or more lay delegates shall join and meet yearly and every year in the great assemblies. Answer. As Austip says of time. Vivo in tempore, loquor de tempore, sed nescio quid sit tempus, — I live in time, I speak of time, but yet I know not what time is. So I do imagine the dictators did not we ll weigh time by exact balance, in all its cont ents, sen se, aiic Tmeaning, when they carved out such a larg e porti on to this illegaL claJmer. Time is justly es- teemed precious, in relation to heaven and grace, and ANSWER TO THE FOEEGOING PROPOSALS. 219 also ve ry valua ble with respect to the interest of na- ture and this _] ife. T herefore, care sho uld be had that it be not squandered away wastefully. Our nat- ural lives, healths, and honor, families and estates are all very significant and costly things, and their de- pendence is much on the well husbanding of time, insomuch that in hard and penurious climates, the inhabitants had need be very saving of time for the support of all these great interests, and especially, seeing there is so much time already set off for re- ligion. As, 1st. The seventh part of time is assigned by the wise author of time, and that well improved, will do much for the support of religion. 2d. There are great proportions (out of the time left to our disposal) frankly bequeathed for the good of religion, as in courts, churches, college, school, fami- lies, closets, and in . many other sacred intervals, breathing spells, from the hurry of business, to render men more sedate and heavenly (called time out of season) and all for the service of religion ; then to add and make this offering also, without a divine mandate, is but a work of supererogation, or super- stition and so will prove not only a needless but an extravagant victim. And, moreover, to add a just aggravation or two, to set forth the evil in the imposition, I shall, with them, conclude the plea. Aggravation I. Is taken from the great and suffi- cient care and provision made by the fifteenth and six- teenth chapters of our platform, for the convening of occasional and needful councils, for the service of the churches, and support of refigion upon all emergen- 220 THE churches' quakeel espoused. cies. Then what need we throw away so many- years of time at a venture, as is here tendered in the proposal, before our necessities or occasions call for the expense ; unless we would in imitation of the Rhodian colossus or Egyptian pyramids, erect a mon- ument of our vainglory and pride, more than of our prudence, policy, or duty. Aggravation II. Is taken from the great affront, real and rational, done to empire. (1) Real. In making thus bold, with the time and estates of loyal subjects. (2) Rational. For let us but consider that about three hundred men (gownmen and swordmen) with twice the number of attendants, which will make up near a thousand strong (and all well horsed and pro- vided) to be mustered, no man living on earth can tell for what, cannot be well resented by crowned heads, those admirers of order. That the project car- ried on may breed jealousies in the heart of our prince, lest that Ket, Cade, Straw, or Tyler have pitched upon an oak of reformation again, with an intent to overhaul the government, etc. And espe- cially, seeing the crown was never advised of such a thing (as is proposed) by the regular forms of empire. There is danger of losing our time, and the credit of our loyalty together ; that all things considered, the best way will be for us to keep well whilst we are well ; and therefore let every man and society be ad- vised to improve their time wisely, keep in their post, and honestly study to their own business, which God, law, and regular settlements has intrusted them with ; and we may then hope things will go well with us and our holy religion. ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 221 2. Uncertain, namely, when the creators please, and can agree, for the more particular time is best left to the determination of each association, as the propo- sal affirms. And thus we are left very uncertain, when, where, or whether it will ever be ; so that I perceive you have no great dependence upon it, neither must we. The wisdom of civil government hath another sort of conduct. Such things are not left to discretion, for that would be indiscretion, and the way to turn the world into a bedlam or the dwell- ing place of madmen. And in the example before us, suppose the arbitrators (when the question for the time is propounded) should differ, and hotly dispute the matter ; and some should plead, it was best to be in the winter, and some in the summer ; some argue for the fall, and some for the spring, according as every man's temper leads him ; and at last, referring it to a majority of voices, should they (for want of an odd man) lock it by an equal vote, and so keep it like a game at chess for several years on the table, and neither side get the mastery ; we may then in our distresses holloa whilst our throats ache, and no help comes; for they have voted themselves fast (like two bucks in their own horns) and cannot stir for our relief. 6. We must, according to promise, make some in- quiry, whether this council is to meet, or for t he pla ce of meeting ? It i s held in opinion that cast les in the air and i m- m aterial substances do not occupy p lace ; philosophy assigns them no more than a ubi, where many may exist in puncto indivisibili, or on the point of a needle ; and if this council is (as I apprehend it) belonging to 222 THE churches' quarrel espoused. that conjugation or catalogue of beings, it will then have this privilege belonging to it, namely, there will be no house to build nor house-rent to pay. 7. We come now (in the last place) to consider its maintena nce, by three queries. 1st Query. Whether the churches in their exp ir- ing, must (as a ll criminals do) pay for their own ex- ecution, and their estates be confiscate, and reserved as a fund, yielding a certain stipend per annum to support their executioners ? 2d Q uery. Whether the contingent fees of the sessions, or t he free and voluntary contribution of clients ma y be thought a medium sufficient ? Or , '6d Query7 Whether it must not be here as it is in Tome civil cases , under the cognizance of a ver y peaceable an d good-natured ju stice, that for the heal- ing of a difference amongst neighbors, advises them to agree etc., and so let every man bear his own charges. B ut how it is, or which way they intend to rais e a support for a standing council, yearly, and every year, I cannot find out ; there is no stipend settled, or pro- vision made, in the canons, which give it being. It is certain in the history of God's works, he first makes his house, etc., then furnishes his table with great varieties, and then invites his guests and makes them welcome ; and so it is with all regular created efficients, both rational and natural ; but in this scheme there is nothing done for the support of the new-born infant, but like a runaway dam you leave it to the mercy of the heavens. But possibly the relief is stored up in your creating power ; so that if the charitable churches will but find a cradle for the ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 223 first night and naturalize it, you will by your creating fiat soon find a fortune, if all the tithes in the prov- ince, will do it. Thus, according to engagement, we have passed through the several heads relating to the standing council, and I think by the analysis it is sufficiently resolved into its first nothing ; and therefore in what remains, I shall be more brief in my answer. SECTION II. Tha t to this end, these associated pastor s, with their respective churches, sh all consociate and co m- bine. Answer. There is plainly an Hysteron and Pro - teron (a preposterous speech, or misplacing of term s, pasto rs and churches) in this secti on ; and though in rhetoric it breaks no great squares, yet in politics, where the just boundaries of governments are to be set out, the misplaci ng some great words may ruffle the whole scheme ; so that according to the more wary idiom of our church government, it should be writ ten thus, namely. The respective churches shall co nsociate and comb ine, and their pastors shall at- tend and minister, as their duty does oblige them. 224 THE churches' quarrel espoused. SECTION III. According to what has been by the synods of these churches recommended, that they a ct as consoc iated churches, in all holy watchfulness and helpfulness towards each other. Answer. Titus, the Roman general, is very honor- able for his great pity to the Israelites, in many ex- amples that fell into his hands ; but all this while he was in siege of that famous town and temple, and designed to root them out of house and home, or sub- ject them to the mercy and pleasure of a conqueror. So here. Though you smile upon us in reciting some of the principles of our own government (for which we thank you), yet still we must observe the noise of your mattocks, that we may meet with your trenches, for you are still carrying on your works, and undermining us. SECTION IV. It is propounded, as that from which our begin- ning has been recommended, etc. Ansiver. Yo u seem to reflect upon onr begin nings, with a sing ular air and aspect, when you find any word or passage that falls in with your design, a s t hough you were sensible those things were ve ry argumentative and binding, and indeed they are so. T h'en why cannot you fall in with the whole settle - ment, and say to yourselves, what need we stand ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 225 puzzling our heads for new schemes about church- government? There is one from our beginnings, that is complete, being adjusted by the laws of honor and assigns to all parties their due, and gives to officers rule, power, and honor enough ; therefore let us, now we are met, order a new impression, and so break up. For alas, alas ! What need you, like the thievish bird, pick here and there a straw or a feather in our yards, to build a new nest ? Or now and then gather up a kernel, or a grain out of our first fruits ? The whole plantation and crop is yours, if you please to make use of it, and it will be your livelihood, as it has been hitherto ; only you must re- member to pay the quit-rent as honorable tenants, and not take yourselves to be lords of the manor. SECTION V. T hat the association shall direc t , when there is occasion, for this council to convene, on any e mer- gency, and shall direct whether the whole, or only a certain number of these consociated pastors and churches shall convene on such occasions. Anxvier. The begged prerogatives of clergym en come so thick in this place, and smell so strong of the pope's cooks and kitchen, where his broths and re storatives are prepared, that they are enough to strangle a free-born Englishman, and much more t'h ese churches, that have live d in such a clear air, and under such enlargements so long a time. For indeed (forsooth), fourscore years has brought (not 15 226 THE churches' quarrel espoused. our hogs, but) our innocent flock to a fair market, if it is come to this, that clergymen may buy and sell them (as the Romans did the Jews) thirty for a penny, or at least say, pro and con, at their pleasure, upon all the high immunities and ancient liberties of the churches, lion-like (who claims the whole prey, and leaves no share to his allies, vel actum est de amicitia), all is mine (says he) or farewell friendship. SECTION VI. It appears agreeab le with the present conditi on of our churches, and from our beginning acknowledged, that no ac t of the council is to be reckoned, c on- cluded, a nd decisive, for which there has not been t he con currence of the major part of the pa stors therein concerned. Answer 1. The specificating act, that empowe rs any member for an ecclesiastical council, is the ch urches' election or delegation, according to ou r gove rnment; so that the members sent, are invest ed witE"the power, and represent those who send them . The officers have no more of this power devolved up on them than any member, and therefore ca n ch allenge no more right (as elders) in a major or in a ne gative vote, than any others, as is very apparent in all representativ e bodies ; therefore all acts must be determine d by the majority of the who le, as in the house of commons, though made up of men of many different characters, when in their own countries, both as to their trust, learning, and wisdom, and other ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 227 distinguishing qualifications ; yet the meane st man there has as great a force and power in his vote or suffrage as the best man in the house, for that they all equally represent the nation, one man as much as another. So in this case ; for that the churches and offi cers were never y et since New Jb^ngland stood , h eld or accounted two distinct estates in an eccles i- ast ical coun cil. Therefore, 2. Your challenge plainly defines your intention, that is to null the power of the churches, and set up yourselves as the subject or fountain of a superin- tending power. And then, if the churches may have so much favor as to represent themselves by their lay-delegates, in a council you shall see meet to call, you must needs allow them to be a distinct house and estate. And if so, then you must grant them the privilege of a major vote as well as yourselves, and so nothing can be acted but by their compliance also. But I must acknowledge, I have no plenipo- tentiary power to settle articles of agreement, for the infringing any of the rights of the churches, and therefore must draw up my memorials in complaints of encroachments upon ancient lines and bounda- ries, and so leave them. SECTION VII. The determinations of the councils thus provided for the necessities of the churches, etc. Answer. Let any man read the fifteenth and s ix- teenth chapters of our platform, and then judge 228 THE churches' quarrel espoused. whether the necessities of these churches are so urgent as this proposal with too much fallacy in- sinuates, or whether they are anyways in Esau's straits, who thought he might sell his birthright for a mess of pottage, if not to save his life yet to gratify his peevish and distrustful hunger. SECTION VIII. If a particular church will not be reclaimed , etc. An swer. This whole long section is the third wa y of the commu nion of churches, laid out in the fif- te enth chapter of our platform, almost totidem verb is, or, i n so many w ords. And whether or no the annex- ing some of the principles and rules of our vindictive and more public justice to the scheme, will suffi- ciently atone for the dissolution of the whole frame, which is intended by you ? CONCLUSION. These proposals were assented to by the delegates of the association, met according to former agree- ment at B , Sept. 13th, 1705, to be commu- nicated. ~" " Answer. The churc h of England has been wont to look upon us as men out of our wits, therefore they ter m us fanatics or madmen, but much more now . What ! For men to break from the government they ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 229 th emselves have established by consent and practice , and arbitrarily to rally together, and draw up a dire- ful sentence (if not in terms, yet in intent) for the di ssolution of a country full of the best churches o f Christ in the world, and the n (as it were) upon the bo ld sound of a trumpet, to excite others to ratif y the dead warrant, in order to execution ! What ca n this im port or signify in the thoughts of considera te m en, but a vertiginous brain ? We might have learned better, and more caution, from that mother church of the nation, if not from common reason ; for though the sovereign confides in the loyalty of the English clergy, yet to maintain the grandeur of government, and keep in good repair that common fence, which keeps every man in his station, there- fore, according to the law and custom of England, the convocation, both the higher and lower house of that learned and august assembly, neither debates nor transacts any matter whatsoever, but what our sovereign by commission expressly alloweth of, ac- cording to his prerogative ; so that certainly to acquit yourselves for wise men you should have done no less (in a matter of such weight and moment), than have petitioned the public authority for commission, before you had ventured thus far. Objection. But possibly some may say, " We have petitioned authority to establish our councils, since we have drawn them up in form." Ans. This is to be preposterous, and agrees with that illegal way of hanging men and then judging them ; but, however, it seems they turned a deaf ear to your demands ; and well they might, for they are too wise men to alter the laws of the province, long 230 THE churches' qxiakrel espoused. '^stoms, and orderly settlements of the churches, to g ratify an implicit faith in the stark naked ipse dixits of any men ; t hat unless you can produce a manda- m us from the crown, or a precept from a higher co urt, which by its divine authority shall awe and direc t them, you may always expect such entertainment in your precarious addresses ; for most certainly you beg at the wrong door, for you beg without a brief. To be commended to the several associated minis- ters in the several parts of the country, to be duly considered. Ans. And why not commended to the general court, as has been the custom of our beginnings, etc., or why not commended nextly to the several church- es ? By the question proposed, the comfort, support, and well-being of these churches was peculiarly pre- tended, then why might not they be advised with for their approbation or esteem ? For if you intend it for a new suit, or change of apparel, or a set of armor for this army in banners, it must be the only way to try it on, it being now so near finishing ; and if it be done workman-like, you will have the credit and they the comfort of it ; but if it prove too straight-laced, or should they feel themselves as David in Saul's coat of mail, and should shrug at it and say, " We cannot go in these, we have not proved them," yet they may throw all by and keep to their own old suit, which is not yet half worn, and the worst come to the worst, you may by any lawful writ recover your wages of those who set you on work to blow at this forge. That so what may be judged for the service of our Great Lord and his holy churches. ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 231 Ans. You acknowledge, and so do I, that these are holy churches, and (through the grace of their great Lord) they being so, then why should they be inter- rupted in their government and discipline, which has been a peculiar means for the advance and promoting holiness among them? They are strict in their government; curious, yet charitable, in their admis- sions; in the election of all officers, they are nice, cautious, judicious, and in the main hitherto very successful. They^re eagle-eyed in their watch; duly hot, and impartial in their process and exemplary acts of justice ; and so dependent and free from arro- gance, that they acknowledge themselves accountable under the eye of the consociation for their adminis- tration ; and freely, and without covin, render an account of their actions, and are willing to receive advice, etc. Then why should you disturb them ? You acknowledge them to be holy churches, and you may well ! Then certainly they are the bethels, where God dwells ; and from his grace and presence, so illustrious in them, why may we not conclude, God has said, " This is my rest forever ; here will I dwell, for I have desired it?" And will then any good man have an hand in pulling down these taber- nacles of the Almighty ? No ! rather let every man involved say, as once Job did, " I will lay my hand upon my mouth ; once have I spoken, but I will not answer ; yea, twice, but I will proceed no further, lest I am found fighting against God ;" for it is most cer- tain all men will find themselves over-matched in such a war. 232 THE churches' quarrel espoused. Be proceeded in. Ans. I think we are proceeding in the best method we can for the present, for the service of these churches. That is to say, the criminal proposals being now at the bar, and having been indicted upon sev- eral statutes, and evidence for proving matter of fact being legal and sufficient, the case is now to be de- livered to the great jury of trials, namely, the impar- tial reason of the churches ; and there having been no such deed done, or seen, from the day that this good people came up out of the land from the other side of the great sea, unto this day, consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds. Judges, 19: 30. And upon due deliberation, if, under the conduct of law and reason, you shall bring in guilty, then I petition for the crown that justice be done in this fol- lowing manner, not by banishment, praemunire, or I perpetual imprisonment; but that the proposals be sentenced to die the death of heretics, and their ashes be exposed to the four winds ; that the whole scheme may, beyond all hope of retrieve, be lost in oblivion. And let the churches, according to their platform, recover and maintain their authority, liberties, and lustre, so long as the sun and moon shall continue. The clate, November the 5th, 1705 . A ns. Blessed ! thrice blessed day ! Uphold a nd maintain thy matchless fame in the calendar of tim e, and l et no darkness or shadow of death stain thee ; let thy horizon comprehend whole constellations of favorable and auspicious stars, reflecting a benign influence on the English monarchy. And upon every return, in thy anniversary circuits, keep an indulgent ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING PROPOSALS. 233 eye open and wakeful upon all the beauties (from the throne to the footstool) of that mighty empire! And when it is thy misfortune to conceive a mon- ster, which may threaten any part of the nation's glory, let it come crippled from the womb, or else travail in birth again, with some noble hero, or invin- cible Hercules, who may conquer and confound it. The last binding vote. At an association meeting, the foregoing proposals were read and assented to. , — . I] Am. "Whether for a small junto of gentlem en, wit hout being orderly called (as a committee of wis e ( an d learned men to survey an old government, a nd make their report) by any supreme authority, fo r th em of their own heads to meet and draw up article s against, and in imit ation of, the highest and mo st regular state on earth ; to vote up a scheme of their own inventing, and thereby sign the condemnation of a grave ecclesiastical government, which has been adjusted by the rules of equity and honor, and for the security of ail persons and parties interested and involved, and regularly settled and established by all the churches in the province ; and owned, ratified, and honored by the civil authority of the empire, and eminently blessed by God through a long series and succession of years; now whether such a daring ac- tion as this can be placed under any of the topics of political or moral wisdom, either of the fear of God, allegiance to their prince, or love to their country? Or whether or no they do not, for their defiance to the churches in this bold and terrible vote, rather 234 THE churches' quarrel espoused. merit a page in the chronicles of time, and there, in capital letters, be written, not an association of wise, but a faction of disorderly, etc., and impolitic men? The introduction to personal signing. PRESENT. Ans. A council of war (by adjournment met with- out commission) consulting the most plausible way to blow up the walls of our Zion. But where the place was, or the persons who were present in this rendezvous, shall never be told by me, unless it be extorted by the rack. And though I have endeavored with freedom of argument to subvert the error, I will never stain their personal glory by repeating or call- ing over the muster-roll. Therefore, as Noah's sons cast a garment upon their father's nakedness, so (leaving them in the crowd) their names (for me) shall repose under a mantle of honorable pity and forgetfulness. Yet wishing they may never more harbor such thoughts, or promote such a design as is projected by these proposals; but hereafter, when temptation makes its signal, let them rather trespass upon gravity, by following the hounds in the forest, or by a more submissive and moderate way (to baffle the enemy, and wear off the impression), let them write on the ground, or, with the famous Domitian, spend the time in catching flies, rather than contrive how to subvert or alter the government in the churches by such despotic measures, especially in an empire and province so charmed with such enchanting liber- ANSWER TO THE FOEEGOING PROPOSALS. 235 ties as ours are. For otherwise they may chance to bring, if not an old, a new house upon their heads, according to that saying, Debile fundamentum, fallit opas. A work, if done, and no foundation laid, Falls on the workmen's head ; thus they are paid. SUBSCEIBERS' NAMES. The following is the list of subscribers for the edition of A. D. 1772, al- luded to in the Introductory article of this edition. Names. Mr. Benjamin Adams, Mr. Seth Adams, Mr. Stephen Adams, Nathaniel Appleton, A. M., John Appleton, A. M., Mr. Eliakim Atherton, William Ayers, Esq., Capt. Silas Bailey, Mr. Benjamin Babbitt, Mr. William Baker, Eev. IsEiao Backus, Mr. William Bant, Mr. Joseph Baker, Mr. John Batchellor, Eev. Benjamin Balch, Eev. Thomas Balch, Mr. James Barrat, Mr. Jalah Barnard, Mr. Andrew Barclay, Mr. Daniel Bell, Mr. Joseph Belknap, Mr. Jeremiah Belknap, Number of Books. Abode. 2 Brookfield. 2 Boston. 12 1 Boston. 1 Salem. 6 Bolton. 4 Brookfield. B. 6 Bolton. 6 Brookfield. 1 Boston. 6 Middleborough. 4 Boston. 6 Westborough. 12 Reading. 1 Mendon. 1 Dedham. 1 Concord. 6 Deerfield. 6 Boston. 1 It 1 u 1 u 238 subscribers' names. Mr. William Blodget, Mr. Victor Blair, Joseph Bowditch, Esq., Mr. Daniel Beyer, Deacon William Boardman, Jabez Bowen, Esq., Capt. Thaddeus Bowman, Mr. Philip Brown, Benjamin Bradshaw, A. M., Mr. Elisha Brown, Deacon Benjamin Brown, Mr. Francis Brown, Mr. Paul Bridgham, Mr. Moses Bulling, Kev. Mather Byles, D. D., Providence. Boston. Salem. Boston. (( Providence. Lexington. Salem. Boston. II Lexington. (( Marlborough. Medfield. Boston. Mr. Ebenezer Campbell, 1 Newport. Mr. William Capen, 1 Charlestown Mr. Benjamin Callender, 1 Boston. Mr. John Callender, 1 u Mr. Caleb Call, 2 Charlestown Mr. John Carter, 1 It Kev. Ebenezer Chaplin, 36 Sutton. Mr. Judah Clark, 6 ilarvard. Mr. Joseph Clough, 1 Salem. Mr. James Clark, 1 Newport. Mr. Samuel Clap, 1 Boston. Mr. James Foster Condy, 12 a Mr. Theophilus CafFart, 1 Newport. Joseph Crosby, B. A., 1 Braintree. Rev. Robert Cutler, 1 Greenwich. Mr. Jacob Gushing, 2 Rev. Manassah Cutler, 1 Ipswich. Mr. John Cutter, Jr., 1 Cambridge. subscribers' names. 239 D. Mr. William Daives, 100 Boston. Major Thomas Dawes, 2 u Mr. William Dawes, Jr., 1 u Dr. Nathaniel Dabney, 1 Salem. Kev. Nathan Davis, 6 Dracut. Deacon Stephen Davis, 1 Bedford. Capt. Thomas Darrell, 1 Marblehead. Mr. John Deming, 1 Boston. Mr. Jacob Dodge, 1 Beverly. Mr. Ebenezer Dorr, 3 Boston. Dr. William Dunsmoor, 6 Lancaster. Kev. Joshua Eaton, Rev. Samuel Eaton, Lieut. Elisha Eaton, Mr. Nehemiah Easterbrook, Josiah Edson, Esq., Mr. John Eddy, Mr. Samuel Elliot, Rev. Edward Emerson, Mr. Bulkley Emerson, Moses Everett, B. A., 1 1 1 Spencer. Harpswell. Boston. 1 Lexington. G 6 Bridgewater. Newton. 2 36 1 Boston. Concord. Newburyport. Dedham. Mr. Ephraim Fairbank, 100 Bolton. Mr. Jonathan Fairbanks, 6 Lancaster. Mr. Paul Farmer, 1 Boston. Mr. John Fenno, 1 II Mr. Jonathan Fisk, 1 Weston. Mr. Samuel Fisk, 1 Watertown. Mr. Benjamin Fisher, 6 Mr. Samuel Flagg, 1 Grafton. Mr. Isaac Foster, 6 Billerica. Mr. Benjamin Foster, 1 Lunenburgh. 240 SUBSCRIBEES' NAMES. Mr. James Foster, 1 2 Boston. Mr. Philip Freeman, 12 " Mr. Samuel Freeman, 6 Falmouth. Jonathan French, B. A., 2 Cambridge. Abraham Fuller, Esq., 6 Newton. Lieut. Thomas Furbush, 1 Westborough. Mr. Daniel Furbush, 1 " Rev. Caleb Gannett, 1 Mr. John Gardner, 3d, 1 Mr. Joseph Gilbert, 12 Mr. Thomas Gilbert, 12 Mr. Moses Gill, 6 Mr. Richard Goldsmith, 6 Mr. Caleb Godfrey, Mr. Nathaniel Gould, Mr. Elisha Goddard, Mr. Samuel Gore, Mr. Samuel Goldsbury, Rev. Ebenezer Grosvenor, Mr. John Goff, William Greenleaf, Esq., Joseph Green, Esq., Major Jeremiah Green, Mr. Benjamin Gray, Mr. Nathaniel Greenough, 2 Mr. Stephen Greenleaf, 1 Bridgowater. Salem. Brookfield. II Boston. Harvard. Salem. Sutton. Boston. VVrentham. Scituate. Dorchester. Boston. H. Mr. Samuel Hall, Mr. Thomas Hall, Mr. James Haskell, Mr. Henry Harding, Mr. John Harris, Mr. Daniel Hayden, Mr. Jonathan Hall, Mr. John Harrington, 2 Salem. 6 New Braintree 6 Harvard. Medfield. Charlestown. Grafton. a Westborough. SUBSCKIBERS' NAMES. 241 Joshua Henshaw, Jr., M. A., John Hill, Esq., Mr. Thomas Hitchborn, Hon. Eobert Hooper, Esq., Rev. Elizur Holyoke, Lieut. Abraham Hokaan, Mr. Israel Houghton, Mr. Edward Holliday, Mr. Daniel Howard, 3d, Mr. Samuel Holbrook, Capt. William Holmes, Mr. John Hotchkiss, Jed. Huntington, Esq., John Hubbard, Esq., Mr. Thomas Hubbard, Deacon Joseph Hubbard, Boston. Marblehead. Boxford. Bolton. Petersham. Boston. Bridgewater. Boston. New Haven. Norwich. New Haven. Concord. Holden. J. Mr. Peter Jayne, Kev. Joseph Jackson, Deacon David Jeffries, ■ Kev. Jedediah Jewett, Dummer Jewett, Esq., David Ingersol, Esq., Mr. Samuel Jones, 100 Marblehead. Brookline. Boston. Rowley. Ipswich. Milford. Bolton. K. Mr. Ebenezer Kimball, 1 Salem. Mr. Edward Kneeland, 1 Boston. Mr. John Kneeland, Jr., 1 L. Mr. Jeremiah Laughton, Mr. Daniel Lampson, Rev. Isaiah Lewis, Dr. Joseph Lee, Mr. Samuel Lee, 6 2 1 12 6 16 plarvard Athol. Wellfleet. Concord. Manchester. 242 subscribers' names. Dr. Joseph Lemmon, 1 Marblehead. Ensign Robert Longley, 6 Bolton. Mr. Nathaniel Longley, 6 ti Deacon Joseph Loring, 2 Lexington. Mr. James Lock, Jr., 12 Ashby. Dr. Joshua Loring, 1 Mr. Joshua Loring, 3 Boston. Mr. John Loring, 1 Lancaster. Mr. John Lucas, 3 Boston. M. Col. Thomas Marshall, 4 Boston. Capt. Ephraim May, Isaac Mansfield, Jr., A. M., 6 1 Marblehead. Mr. Jonas Mason, Mr. John McCluer, Rev. Jonas Meriam, Mr. Joseph Meriam, Jr., Mr. William Moore, 1 1 6 6 1 Lancaster. Boston. Newton. Grafton. Boston. N. Mr. John Nazro, 1 Boston. Mr. Jonathan Nioholls, 1 Mr. Edward Norice, 1 Salem. Dr. Samuel Nye, 1 Lincoln, Mr. Andrew Oliver, Jr., O. Boston. Mr. Thomas Paine, Mr. Samuel Page, Mr. Solomon Parsons, Jr., Mr. John Patch, Benjamin Pemberton, Esq., Rev. Daniel Perkins, 6 Eastham. 1 Salem. 6 Gloucester. 1 Ipswich. 2 Roxbury. 1 Bridge water. SUBSCEIBBIIS' NAMES. 243 Mr. Eober Peele, Jr., Mr. James Penniman, Mr. Andrew Peters, Mr. Joseph Pliips, Capt. Timothy Pickering, Mr. Abijah Pierce, Mr. John Pierce, Mr. John Pitman, Mr. Ebenezer Plummer, Mr. William Pollard, Mr. Thorndike Proctor, Mr. Ezra Putnam, Norton Quincy, Esq., Mr. Francis Quarly, Mr. Isaac Kand, Jr., Tapping Reeve, Esq., Capt. Jonathan Reed, Mr. Nathaniel Richardson, Mr. Thomas Riggs, Mr. David Rice, Ebenezer Roby, Esq., Mr. Robert Roundey, Mr. John Rolstone, Mr. Thomas Russell, Hon. Thomas Saunders, Esq., Lieut. Elijah Sawyer, Mr. Thomas Sawyer, Lieut. Ephraim Sawyer, John Scollay, Esq., Capt. Samuel Sellon, Mr. George Searle, Q. R. S. 1 balem. 1 1 Men don. 1 Charlestovvn. 6 Salem. 6 Waltham. 6 Bolton. 1 Boston. 1 Glassenbury. 6 Bolton. 1 Salem. 6 Middleton. 2 Braintree. 1 Beverly. 1 Boston. 1 Litchfield. 2 Littleton. 1 Salem. 6 N. Hamp. Keen, 6 Bolton. 6 Sudbury. 1 1 Boston. 6 u 2 Gloucester. 6 Bolton. 6 (( 6 Lancaster. 4 Boston. 1 u 1 Newburyport. 244 SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES. Joseph Sherburne, Esq., I Boston. Mr. Kobert Shillaber, t Danvers, William Sherman, B. A., L New Haven. Mr. Joseph Simons, L Lexington. Mr. Solomon Southack, I Newport. Eev. Samuel Stillman, 1 L Boston. Deacon Jonas Stone, J Lexington. Mr. David Stockbridge, I Hanover. Mr. William Stearnes, ] I Lunenbourgh Mr. Joseph Stow, ' i Brookfield. Mr. Alexander Steele, < 3 Boston. Rev. Joseph Sumner, 5 Shrewsbury. T. Lieut. Peter Talbot, t Stoughton. Mr. Hezekiah Taylor, ] Grafton. Mr. Jedediah Tayntor, 5 Marlborough. Mr. David Temple, Grafton. Rev. Ebenezer Thayer, ] I Hampton. Rev. Peter Thacher, ] Maiden. Dr. William Thomas, ( 5 Brooktield. Mr. Joshua Townsend, ] I Bolton. John Tudor, Esq., Boston. Mr. Samuel Tufts, ] L Medford. Mr. Joseph Tucker, ] Brookline. Mr. Daniel Tyler, ( 5 Pomfret. Mr. William Tyler, I Boston. Mrs. Mary Tyler, ] u w. Hon. Artemas Ward, Esq., 6 — - Shrewsbury. Deacon Joshua Ward, 1 Salem. Capt. Josiah Waters, 6 Boston. Mr. Aaron Warren, 2 Upton. Mr. Obadiah Walker, 1 Lunenbourgh Rev. Samuel Webster, 1 Temple. Mr. Thomas Weeks, 1 Greenwich. SUBSCKIBEES' NAMES. 245 Mr. William West, 1 Salem. Col. John Whitcomb, 12 Bolton. William WhitweU, Esq., 2 Boston. Mr. James Whipple, 1 Grafton. Mr. William Whitcomb, 6 Bolton. Mr. Isaiah Whitney, 6 Harvard. Capt. Ealph Wheelock, 1 Sturbridge. Mr. Eleazer Wheelock,, 1 Medfield. Mr. Peter White, 1 Mr. Asa White, 1 Weymouth. Mr. Joseph Whittemore, 1 Boston. Col. Jonathan Wilder, ]2 Lancaster. Rev. Anthony Wibird, 1 Braintree. Mr. Josiah Witt, 6 Stow. Mr. Ephraim Willard, 1 Aaron Wood, Esq., 6 Boxford. Mr. Ephraim Woods, 6 New Braintree. Mr. Abraham Wood, 6 Mr. Ebenezer Wyth, 6 Cambridge. 'i .:^ k' ^.v. I A . H". . r* si*; ■t-! MSi^'i mSf0j,;: ^^;-'^. iS^:::':><^ »>A* ^ <^J "-y >v^ .%^^ ^^. ^